A Travel Price Comparison for Chile San Pedro de Atacama vs. Castro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro de Atacama or Castro?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Pedro de Atacama and Castro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: San Pedro de Atacama or Castro?

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

Castro

The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Castro or San Pedro de Atacama?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro de Atacama is $58, while the average daily cost in Castro is $86. 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 Pedro de Atacama and Castro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro de Atacama $31
    Castro $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro de Atacama $62
    Castro $72
Compare Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama and Castro

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro de Atacama or Castro? 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 Pedro de Atacama


Hotels in Castro


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 Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices and Castro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro de Atacama $8.94
    Castro $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Atacama Airport Private Transfer: $129
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $55
  • Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
  • Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $40
  • Shared Departure Transfer: San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport: $31
  • Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
  • Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
  • Transfers to San Pedro de Acatama (shared service): $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:

  • Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro de Atacama or Castro?

Prices for flights to both Castro and San Pedro de Atacama 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 Pedro de Atacama $14
    Castro $35
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.23
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.92
  • Empanada
    $5.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro de Atacama $20
    Castro $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $54

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Stargazing Tour with Astronomer in San Pedro de Atacama: $35
  • Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up San Pedro de Atacama: $39
  • Tour to Vallecito and Magic Bus: $42
  • Tour to the Valley of the Moon San Pedro de Atacama: $42
  • Etno-Astronomical Experience: $43
  • Tour Laguna Cejar: San Pedro de Atacama: $44
  • Moon Valley Tour: $44
  • Traditional Ethnoastronomy Experience: $44
  • Guided Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour: $44
  • Tour Compartido Valle de la Luna: $44
  • Traditional Ethnoastronomy Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $44
  • Half day Valle de la Luna, Afternoon Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Castro

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

  • Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
  • Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $51
  • Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $110
  • Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $169
  • From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
  • Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
  • Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $146
  • Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $140
  • Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.82
    Castro $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $24


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

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


Which is Bigger, San Pedro de Atacama or Castro?

Castro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro de Atacama and Castro, 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.