Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Valdivia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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: Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValdivia $69Lake Titicaca (Puno) $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Valdivia is $69, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $55. 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 Valdivia and Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValdivia $40Lake Titicaca (Puno) $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValdivia $80Lake Titicaca (Puno) $52
Compare Hotels in Valdivia and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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: Valdivia Hotel Prices and Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valdivia $8.08Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay With a 2 Hour Stop: $294
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $283
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $240
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $207
- Direct Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco, English Local Speaking Driver: $204
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $192
- Puno Airport Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $21
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Valdivia 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 dayValdivia $21Lake Titicaca (Puno) $15
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Valdivia $13Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
Tours and Activities in Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Private City Tour: $90
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Live Experience Titicaca Lake PUNO: $70
- 2 Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile from Puno: $65
- 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour with Stay in a Local Family Home: $109
- 2-Day Tour Lake Titicaca: Uros, Amantani & Taquile Islands: $98
- 2-Day Tour Uros Islands with Stay in a Local Family House from Puno: $109
- 2-Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile From Puno: $85
- 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $130
- 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $195
- 3 Days Tour to Ruta del Sol in Puno: $120
- 3 Hour Guided Kayaking Tour in Lake Titicaca: $50
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $38
- Bus Ticket from Puno to Cusco with Stop.: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValdivia $4.79Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valdivia and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Valdivia is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia than you might in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valdivia Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valdivia or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Valdivia and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.