A Travel Price Comparison for Chile Santiago vs. Pucon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santiago or Pucon?

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 Santiago and Pucon. 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: Santiago or Pucon?

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best Bicycle Tours in Chile, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Santiago?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $139, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $98. 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 Santiago and Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago $108
    Pucon $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago $216
    Pucon $84
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Santiago 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 Santiago


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago $5.29
    Pucon $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in a Luxury Van: $71
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $73
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $55
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
  • Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Private Transfer From or To (SCL) Santiago International Airport : $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $50
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $116
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon and Santiago 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
    Santiago $13
    Pucon $37
Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.84
  • Hamburger
    $2.45
  • Dinner
    $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $97
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
  • Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago $46
    Pucon $36

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Official Tour of Santiago Cathedral: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Santiago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $15
  • Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Santiago de Chile: $33
  • Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour: $34

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
    Santiago $8.21
    Pucon $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
  • From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99


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


Which is Bigger, Santiago or Pucon?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Santiago 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 Santiago or Pucon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Santiago or Pucon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Pucon.

In January, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Pucon. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Santiago 21°C (70°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Pucon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Pucon.

Santiago is a little warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Pucon. Santiago usually gets less rain in April than Pucon. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Santiago is a little warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In July, Santiago usually receives less rain than Pucon. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Santiago 9°C (48°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Pucon in the Spring?

Both Pucon and Santiago during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago usually gets less rain in October than Pucon. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Santiago

Santiago Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)