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

Should you visit San Ignacio or Valparaiso?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Valparaiso, 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 Ignacio or Valparaiso?

San Ignacio

So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.

You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.

This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or San Ignacio?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • San Ignacio Prices
    Belize Prices
    Valparaiso Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Ignacio $86
    Valparaiso $82

The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $86, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $82. 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 Ignacio and Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Ignacio $19
    Valparaiso $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Ignacio $38
    Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Valparaiso

Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Valparaiso? 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 Ignacio


Hotels in Valparaiso


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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Ignacio $3.10
    Valparaiso $4.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:

  • Transfer from Belize Airport to San Ignacio: $160

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $260
  • Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
  • Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142

Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Valparaiso?

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso and San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $36
    Valparaiso $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.

  • Maya Fish Cooking Experience: $75

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Ignacio $100
    Valparaiso $18

Tours and Activities in San Ignacio

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

  • Tea Tasting Medicinal Tour: $25
  • Night Hike Tour: Critters of the Night: $28
  • Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $85
  • Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
  • Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $95
  • LOST WORLD CEREMONIAL CAVE- Exciting Adventure at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch: $98
  • 7:30am Jungle Farm trail Ride plus Xunantunich adventure: $100
  • Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $120
  • Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $122
  • ATM Cave Tour from San Ignacio Actun Tunichil Muknal: $124
  • Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $125
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $131

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.19

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

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

  • The Tour of Valparaiso in French on foot and in a small group: $18
  • Shared Tour in Street Art, Funiculars and Port: $30
  • Valparaiso Private Walking Tour with a Local: $32
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Walking Tour Valparaiso, History & Art - Private Optional: $42
  • Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
  • Private Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso: $70
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Ignacio $17
    Valparaiso $7.78

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • A Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Service from Casablanca : $75
  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320


When comparing the travel costs between San Ignacio and Valparaiso, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Ignacio is in Central America and Valparaiso is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Valparaiso?

Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Valparaiso, 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.