Which place is cheaper, Castro or Valparaiso?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valparaiso or Castro?
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 Valparaiso and Castro. 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: Valparaiso or Castro?
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValparaiso $66Castro $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Valparaiso is $66, while the average daily cost in Castro is $88. 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 Valparaiso and Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValparaiso $36Castro $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValparaiso $72Castro $74
Compare Hotels in Valparaiso and Castro
Looking for a hotel in Valparaiso or Castro? 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: Valparaiso Hotel Prices and Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valparaiso $4.83Castro $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Pick up Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
- Pick up at the Pier and Valparaiso -Viña del Mar and transfer to the Airport: $269
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $80
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $236
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $156
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Valparaiso or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro and Valparaiso 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 dayValparaiso $22Castro $36
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada$1.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Valparaiso $18Castro $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour$4.19
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour Valparaiso: $30
- Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $32
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
- Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $38
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Valparaiso: $49
- Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $54
- 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
- Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60
- Private City Tour of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $65
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValparaiso $7.79Castro $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer$1.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaíso: $166
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valparaiso and Castro, we can see that Castro is more expensive. And not only is Valparaiso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valparaiso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valparaiso 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro than you might in Valparaiso.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valparaiso Expensive? and Is Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valparaiso or Castro?
Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Valparaiso and Castro, 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.