A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salto vs. Pucon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salto or Pucon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Pucon, 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: Salto or Pucon?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Salto?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $73, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $98. 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 Salto and Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $31
    Pucon $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $62
    Pucon $84
Compare Hotels in Salto and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Salto or Pucon? 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.

Hotels in Salto


Hotels in Pucon


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: Salto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $22
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $50
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $116

Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon and Salto 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salto $25
    Pucon $37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $18
    Pucon $36

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $14
    Pucon $26


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in Salto.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salto or Pucon?

Salto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Pucon, 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 Salto or Pucon?

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 Salto or Pucon in the Summer?

Both Pucon and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Salto is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salto in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Pucon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Salto. In January, Salto usually receives more rain than Pucon. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salto 25°C (77°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Salto or Pucon in the Autumn?

Both Pucon and Salto during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In April, Salto is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 19°C (65°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Salto often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Pucon. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salto 19°C (65°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Salto or Pucon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Pucon.

Salto is much warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Salto usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during winter. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Salto usually receives less rain than Pucon. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salto 12°C (54°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Salto or Pucon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salto as well as Pucon.

In the spring, Salto is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salto this time of the year. In the spring, Salto often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. Salto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salto usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Pucon. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salto 18°C (64°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Salto

Salto Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 20°C (69°F) 127 mm (5 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)