Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santiago or Puerto Varas?
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 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.
Where Should I go: Santiago or Puerto Varas?
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 Varas
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Chile, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile.
-
Santiago Prices
Chile PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $154Puerto Varas $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas 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 Santiago and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $112Puerto Varas $69
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $224Puerto Varas $138
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Puerto Varas
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.
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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.54Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $95
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $95
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Cruise-ship passengers: transfer to Santiago/Chile: $200
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $77
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $95
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $51
- Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Boat Ride to Peulla with Optional Transfers: $54
- 4 Days Lakes Region with Transfers Chiloe and Peulla: $154
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or 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.
Food
-
Food Meals for one daySantiago $23Puerto Varas $44
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
-
Empanada$1.93
-
Hamburger$2.56
-
Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $80
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Dinner at a Typical Chilean Restaurant with a Traditional Dance Show in Santiago: $150
- Concha y Toro Wine Tour with Dinner at the Winery: $172
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $48Puerto Varas $20
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: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $17
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $20
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $26
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $26
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $26
- Live a snow experience in Farellones for the 2025 season: $28
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $28
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $36
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $41
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $56
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59
- Shared Full Day Tour to Chiloé Island with Penguins: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.61Puerto Varas $6.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $26
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $33
- "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $40
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $40
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
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?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Puerto Varas?
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.
When is the best time to visit Santiago or Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
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.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago 21°C (70°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
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.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulySantiago 9°C (48°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
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.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Santiago
| 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) |
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.