Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Temuco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Temuco 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 Temuco 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: Temuco or Punta Arenas?
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, and The Best Budget Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTemuco $80Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Temuco is $80, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Temuco and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTemuco $44Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTemuco $88Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Temuco and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Temuco 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.
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: Temuco Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Temuco $23Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Temuco or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Temuco 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 dayTemuco $22Punta Arenas $21
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Temuco $7.85Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTemuco $5.13Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Temuco and Punta Arenas, we can see that Temuco 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 Temuco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Temuco 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 Temuco Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Temuco or Punta Arenas?
Temuco has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Temuco 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 Temuco or Punta Arenas?
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 Temuco or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Temuco are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Temuco is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 17°C (62°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Temuco. Temuco usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Temuco gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Temuco usually receives around the same amount of rain as Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryTemuco 17°C (62°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Temuco during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Temuco is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Temuco in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In the autumn, Temuco often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.
Temuco usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilTemuco 12°C (53°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Temuco and Punta Arenas.
Punta Arenas can be very cold during winter. In July, Temuco is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 8°C (46°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
Temuco usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Temuco gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
Temuco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Temuco usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyTemuco 8°C (46°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Temuco as well as Punta Arenas.
Temuco is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Temuco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Temuco usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenas. Temuco gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberTemuco 12°C (54°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Temuco
| Temuco | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.