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

Should you visit Salto or Puerto Montt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?

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.

Puerto Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Salto?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $30
    Puerto Montt $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $60
    Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Salto and Puerto Montt

Looking for a hotel in Salto or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt


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 and Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $22
    Puerto Montt $6.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
  • Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
  • Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Puerto Montt?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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
    Puerto Montt $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $18
    Puerto Montt $14

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:

  • Frutillar Tour: $31
  • Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
  • Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
  • Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
  • Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
  • Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
  • 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
  • Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $13
    Puerto Montt $4.49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salto or Puerto Montt?

Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Salto. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?

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 Puerto Montt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Puerto Montt.

In January, Salto is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Montt this time of the year. In Salto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salto usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during summer. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salto usually receives more rain than Puerto Montt. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salto 25°C (77°F) 
    Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salto as well as Puerto Montt.

Salto is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Salto often gets more sunshine than Puerto Montt. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Salto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salto usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Montt. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salto 19°C (65°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Montt in the Winter?

Both Puerto Montt and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Salto is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salto in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Salto usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during winter. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In July, Salto usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Montt in the Spring?

Both Puerto Montt and Salto during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Salto is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 18°C (64°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Salto. In the spring, Salto often gets more sunshine than Puerto Montt. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun.

Puerto Montt 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 October as Puerto Montt. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salto 18°C (64°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Salto

Salto Puerto Montt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 20°C (69°F) 127 mm (5 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)