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

Should you visit Santiago or Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas. 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Santiago?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
    Punta Arenas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santiago $146
    Punta Arenas $76

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $146, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $76. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago $106
    Punta Arenas $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago $212
    Punta Arenas $62
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago $5.23
    Punta Arenas $1.74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
  • Private Transfer Round trip From the Airport to Valle Nevado : $299
  • Santiago de Chile : private transfer in SUV to Viña del mar or Valparaíso: $280
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
  • Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $243
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $232
  • Private Transfer: From Santiago Airport to Valparaiso: $220
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $220

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $27
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $27
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $33
  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport: $33
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $64
  • Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ): $64
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $77
  • Punta Arenas Airport PUQ to Punta Arenas Arrival Private Transfer: $77
  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $22
    Punta Arenas $35
Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.82
  • Hamburger
    $2.42
  • Dinner
    $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $75
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $112
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
  • Night Tour of the Devil's Locker with Dinner in Shell and Bull: $172
  • Casillero del Diablo Night Tour with Dinner in Concha y Toro: $172
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner with Private Transport: $189

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.01
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago $46
    Punta Arenas $6.23

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
  • Farellones & Valle Nevado Group Tour: $100
  • Tour Tasting Colchagua Valley: $300
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $24
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $24
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $230
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $50

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Fort Bulnes Historical Tour: $39
  • Half day traditional City Tour: $50
  • City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
  • City Tour: $60
  • Punta Arenas City Tour Shore Excursion: $60
  • Cruises shore Excursions: City tour Cruises Regular: $65
  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
  • Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $88
  • Torres Del Paine and Milodon Cave Full Day Tour: $135
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago $8.13
    Punta Arenas $4.70

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: $24
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $37
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $55
  • Concha y Toro Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $58
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • 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
  • Concha y Toro | City tour Santiago & Concha y Toro Wine tour: $80

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.09


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Punta Arenas, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santiago or Punta Arenas?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Santiago or Punta Arenas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Punta Arenas.

In the summer, Santiago is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Santiago usually gets less rain in January than Punta Arenas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Santiago 21°C (70°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

Both Punta Arenas and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In April, Santiago is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than Punta Arenas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

Both Punta Arenas and Santiago during the winter are popular places to visit.

Punta Arenas can be very cold during winter. Santiago is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Santiago usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenas. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Santiago 9°C (48°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Santiago or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Punta Arenas.

In the spring, Santiago is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than Punta Arenas. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Santiago

Santiago Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)