Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santiago and Puerto Varas. 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.
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 Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
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.
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 Puerto Varas is $106. 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 Varas in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Puerto Varas? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Puerto Varas, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Varas.
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 Varas Expensive?.
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Puerto Varas, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Puerto Varas.
Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Puerto Varas.
In the autumn, Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Santiago usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Puerto Varas and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 9°C (48°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In July, Santiago usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Puerto Varas and Santiago during the spring are popular places to visit.
Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Varas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Santiago | Puerto Varas | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |