Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Puerto Varas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Puerto Varas?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Tulum and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Chetumal City to Chetumal Airport CTM Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- EV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $135
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $217
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $211
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Private Transfer: Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $138
- Private transfer from Cancun airpot to Tulum up to 7 persons: $191
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Puerto Varas $25
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $90
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $210
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class and Cenote: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.29
- Skip-the-line Admission Ticket to Tulum Archaeological Zone: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
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 Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Puerto Varas $6.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Puerto Varas, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tulum is in North America and Puerto Varas is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Puerto Varas?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Varas is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Puerto Varas. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tulum is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Varas this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Puerto Varas. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In October, Tulum is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin April. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin April. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Varasin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tulum is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In January, Tulum usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Tulum is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin October. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Tulum
| Tulum | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.