Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Santiago?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Punta del Este and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Santiago? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $272
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $236
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Punta del Este change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPunta del Este $31Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $157
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 670 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Santiago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Santiago?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Punta del Este during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Punta del Este is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Santiago.
Punta del Este is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Santiago. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Santiago.
In the winter, Punta del Este is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in July than Santiago. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Punta del Este is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Santiago. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.