Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama?
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 San Pedro de Atacama. 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 San Pedro de Atacama?
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.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
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.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $154San Pedro de Atacama $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $71. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $112San Pedro de Atacama $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $224San Pedro de Atacama $66
Compare Hotels in Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.54San Pedro de Atacama $9.37
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $30
- Transfer to Valparaiso Cruise Terminal with Winery & Town Tour: $109
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49
- Transfer in/out cruise to/from Santiago plus tour Valparaiso : $99
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $220
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
- Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Shared Departure Transfer: San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport: $32
- To/From El Loa Airport: San Pedro de Atacama Shared Transfer: $34
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $23San Pedro de Atacama $25
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.93
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Hamburger$2.56
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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
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.29
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Lunch$11
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.97
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Empanada$5.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tasting menu dinner of local haute cuisine: $135
- Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $48San Pedro de Atacama $21
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $26
- 1 Day Tour of Isla Negra Algarrobo and Viña Undurraga from Santiago: $112
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago : $51
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $20
- 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 : $240
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $17
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $55
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $132
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$57
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Moon Valley Tour: $32
- Tour to the Valley of the Moon San Pedro de Atacama: $35
- Valle de la Luna Tour with Snacks: $35
- Stargazing Experience: $35
- Half-Day Tour to Laguna Cejar: $35
- Stargazing Tour in the Atacama Desert: $36
- Cejar Lagoon Tour: San Pedro de Atacama: $37
- Rainbow Valley Tour + Petroglyphs (Yerbas Buenas): $37
- Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up San Pedro de Atacama: $39
- Traditional Ethnoastronomy Experience: $39
- Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $40
- Atacama Desert: Magic Niht Astronomy Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.61San Pedro de Atacama $5.05
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or San Pedro de Atacama?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 2420 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.