Which place is cheaper, Temuco 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 Temuco?
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 Temuco, 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 Temuco?
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.
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Temuco $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Temuco is $80. 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 Temuco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Temuco $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Temuco $88
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Temuco
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Temuco? 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 Temuco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Temuco $23
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 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
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- 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: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Temuco?
Prices for flights to both Temuco 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 $31Temuco $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Temuco $7.85
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $289
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Temuco $5.13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Temuco, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Temuco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Temuco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Temuco 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Temuco.
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 Temuco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Temuco?
Temuco has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Temuco, 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 Temuco?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Punta del Este or Temuco in the Summer?
Both Temuco and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Punta del Este is a little warmer than Temuco in the summer. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Temuco fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Temuco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Temuco during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Temuco. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Temuco 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Temuco in the Autumn?
Both Temuco and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is a little warmer than Temuco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Temuco averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Temuco. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 150 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Temuco. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Temuco 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Temuco in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Temuco.
In July, Punta del Este is generally a little warmer than Temuco. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Temuco fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Temuco during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 78 hours of full sun in the winter.
Temuco receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Temuco. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Temuco 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Temuco in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Temuco.
Punta del Este is a little warmer than Temuco in the spring. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Temuco fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Temuco. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 193 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Temuco. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Temuco 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Temuco and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Temuco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.