Which place is cheaper, Iquique or San Pedro de Atacama?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Pedro de Atacama or Iquique?
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 Iquique. 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 Iquique?
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.
Iquique
Located in a golden crescent of coastline, the beautiful beach city with an ocean that's several shades of blue and a historic centre that offers the perfect balance of culture and relaxation is counted among Chile's premier beach resorts. The city is home to the duty free zone called "Zofri" and a growing number of high rise resort hotels along its beaches. Slightly more expensive and polluted than neighboring population centers, such as Arica, Iquique and its chaotic duty-free shopping zone (zona franca) have become the perfect summer holiday destination for Chilean families.
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.
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San Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile PricesIquique Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro de Atacama $74Iquique $130
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro de Atacama is $74, while the average daily cost in Iquique is $130. 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 Iquique in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro de Atacama $34Iquique $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro de Atacama $68Iquique $92
Compare Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama and Iquique
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro de Atacama or Iquique? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro de Atacama $9.81Iquique $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $224
- Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $120
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $70
- Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail.: $53
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
- Shared Transfer to Calama Airport (CJC): $41
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $33
- Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Iquique
Also for Iquique, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sandboard activity in Iquique with transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro de Atacama or Iquique?
Prices for flights to both Iquique 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Pedro de Atacama $27Iquique $63
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:
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Empanadas$1.35
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Lunch$11
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Dinner$12
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Drink$1.01
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Empanada$5.62
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:
- Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro de Atacama $22Iquique $29
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:
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Sand Boarding$60
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:
- "Astronomical Adventure in San Pedro de Atacama": $35
- 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $220
- 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $181
- 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
- 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
- 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198
- 5 Fantastic Tours in the Atacama Desert in 3 Days: $216
- 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $51
- ASTRONOMICAL TOUR: $48
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
Tours and Activities in Iquique
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Iquique.
- City Tour in Iquique: $89
- City tour of Iquique with navigation to the Esmeralda buoy: $55
- Red Lagoon Tour: $639
- Pintados Geoglyphs, Humberstone and Salar Crespo tour: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro de Atacama $5.29Iquique $22
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:
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Alcohol$26
Sample the Local Flavors in San Pedro de Atacama
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Pedro de Atacama:
- Stargazing Tour with Photos and Wine Tasting: $41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro de Atacama and Iquique, we can see that Iquique 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 Iquique would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Iquique 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 Iquique Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro de Atacama or Iquique?
Iquique has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro de Atacama and Iquique, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.