Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Santiago?
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 Santiago or Puerto Vallarta?
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 Puerto Vallarta. 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $159Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $159, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $136. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $116Puerto Vallarta $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $232Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Puerto Vallarta? 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: Santiago Hotel Prices and Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.72Puerto Vallarta $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Private transfer to or from Santiago SCL Airport: $45
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $34
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Marina hotels - Airport: $49
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $54
- Puerto Vallarta Airport to Hotel Private Transfer by Minivan: $67
- Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer: $67
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Zona Romantica - Airport: $69
- Puerto Vallarta hotels to Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port-Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR)-Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR): $70
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR) to Cruise Port: $70
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta Port Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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
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Food Meals for one daySantiago $24Puerto Vallarta $61
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.99
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Hamburger$2.65
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Dinner$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $57
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $44
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $47
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours: $50
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Puerto Vallarta Guided Food Tour with 8 Locals Favorites Tastings: $65
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Versalles de Noche Dinner Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $79
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $85
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Cook Like a Local: Vallarta Market & Cooking Experience: $94
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $50Puerto Vallarta $18
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
- Santiago Half Day Culture Walking Tour: $27
- Roots and Tales of the Capital with City Tour of Santiago: $27
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $8.00
- City tour express, Butterfly, tequila, river and beach: $12
- Puerto Vallarta Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $13
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Puerto Vallarta: $15
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission: $23
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $23
- Immersive Experience & Tequila Tasting in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Colomitos Adventure with Snorkeling Playas del Sur: $27
- Biocultural Hiking Experience in Sayulita: $27
- Butterfly Sanctuary & Museum Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
- Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour: $29
- Puerto Vallarta Historic Downtown Ghost and Cultural Walking Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.89Puerto Vallarta $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
- Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $24
- Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Vallarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago is in South America and Puerto Vallarta is in North 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 Puerto Vallarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Puerto Vallarta?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Puerto Vallarta, 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.