Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Varas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ushuaia or Puerto Varas?
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
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 3-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.
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Ushuaia Prices
Argentina PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUshuaia $0.00Puerto Varas $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $127. 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 Ushuaia and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUshuaia -Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $0.00Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia 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: Ushuaia Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Calafate: Airport Transfer: $12
- Low Cost Esmeralda Lagoon Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Low Cost Ushuaia Transfer from/to the airport: $16
- Navigation to Beagle Channel and Sea Lions Island with Transfers: $116
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $160
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $62
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $62
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $22
- Private Transfer to Cerro Castor from Ushuaia: $60
- Private Transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $17
- Round Trip Transfer from the Airport to Ushuaia Hotels: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $63
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $25
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Ushuaia or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Ushuaia 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 dayUshuaia -Puerto Varas $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
- Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $170
- Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
- Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
- Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
- Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
- Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
- Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ushuaia -Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $20
- Guided Tour of the City of Ushuaia: $21
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $23
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $28
- CITY TOUR USHUAIA+ MARTIAL GLACIER RESERVE VISIT: $28
- City Tour Ushuaia: $30
- USHUAIA | City Tour + Martial Glacier Reserve: $36
- Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour: $50
- LANDSCAPES AND DELIGHTS - CITY TOUR: $50
- End of the World Train Ticket: $55
- Urban Walking Tour with Yatana Forest Historic Site Visit: $55
- Experience in the Classic National Park in Ushuaia: $63
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $162
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $120
- Private Tour of Sport Rock Climbing: $150
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUshuaia -Puerto Varas $6.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:
- Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $115
- City tour and Wine tasting: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ushuaia and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas than you might in Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Puerto Varas?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia or Puerto Varas?
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 Ushuaia or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ushuaia as well as Puerto Varas.
In the summer, Ushuaia is much colder than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ushuaia in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In the summer, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Ushuaia usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryUshuaia 10°C (50°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Ushuaia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In April, Ushuaia is generally much colder than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Ushuaia gets 74 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In April, Ushuaia usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Ushuaia during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Ushuaia can be very cold. Ushuaia is much colder than Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 2°C (36°F) in July, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ushuaia usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyUshuaia 2°C (36°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ushuaia and Puerto Varas.
In the spring, Ushuaia is much colder than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ushuaia in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Ushuaia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas during spring. Ushuaia gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Ushuaia usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Ushuaia
| Ushuaia | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.