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

Should you visit San Pedro or Pucon?

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

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

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or San Pedro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, 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 Pedro and Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro $66
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro $132
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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 Pedro


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 Pedro $34
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon and San Pedro 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 $40
    Pucon $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro $33
    Pucon $37

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
  • Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro $16
    Pucon $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Pucon, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro is in Central America 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 Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 Pedro Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Pucon?

Pucon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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 Pedro or Pucon?

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

Should I visit San Pedro or Pucon in the Summer?

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

In July, San Pedro is generally much warmer than Puconin January. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pucon this time of the year. In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Pedro usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Puconin January. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Pucon in the Autumn?

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

San Pedro is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.

In the autumn, San Pedro often gets more sunshine than Puconin April. San Pedro gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Pedro usually gets more rain in October than Puconin April. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Pucon in the Winter?

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

In the winter, San Pedro is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Pedro in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

San Pedro usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during winter. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In January, San Pedro usually receives less rain than Puconin July. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Pucon in the Spring?

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

In April, San Pedro is generally much warmer than Puconin October. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 27°C (80°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in San Pedro. In the spring, San Pedro often gets more sunshine than Puconin October. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Pedro usually gets less rain in April than Puconin October. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and San Pedro

San Pedro Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)