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

Should you visit San Fernando or Pucon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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: San Fernando or Pucon?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or San Fernando?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 San Fernando and Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Fernando $74
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Fernando $148
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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 San Fernando


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Fernando $50
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon and San Fernando 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
    San Fernando $48
    Pucon $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Fernando $28
    Pucon $37

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Fernando $22
    Pucon $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Pucon, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Pucon is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando than you might in Pucon.

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


Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Pucon?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Pucon?

Pucon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Pucon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Pucon. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Puconin January. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the summer, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit San Fernando or Pucon in the Autumn?

Both Pucon and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.

San Fernando is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Puconin April. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit San Fernando or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon and San Fernando during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, San Fernando is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Fernando in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the winter, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Fernando usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    San Fernando 26°C (78°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit San Fernando or Pucon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round.

In April, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Puconin October. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Puconin October. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and San Fernando

San Fernando Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)