A Travel Price Comparison for Chile Valparaiso vs. Puerto Varas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Valparaiso or Puerto Varas?

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 Puerto Varas. 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 Puerto Varas?

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.

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 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.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Valparaiso?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Valparaiso is $65, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $106. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valparaiso $35
    Puerto Varas $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valparaiso $70
    Puerto Varas $132
Compare Hotels in Valparaiso and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Valparaiso 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.

Hotels in Valparaiso


Hotels in Puerto Varas


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 Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valparaiso $4.72
    Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.07

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: $82
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $66
  • 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: $239
  • 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 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
  • Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Valparaiso or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Valparaiso $22
    Puerto Varas $24
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Chilean Cuisine Cooking Class with Traditional Market Tour: $72
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valparaiso $18
    Puerto Varas $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.10

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
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $39
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Valparaiso: $50
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
  • Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $55
  • Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso Visit Mani Restorans Ceviche Empanada: $60
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Osorno Volcano Tour: $31
  • Tour Frutillar: $31
  • Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
  • Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
  • Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
  • Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
  • Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
  • Chiloé Island Tour: $60
  • FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
  • Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valparaiso $7.61
    Puerto Varas $6.36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.97

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
  • Isla Negra Museum Tour & CasaBlanca Wine Tour: $289


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valparaiso and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 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 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 Puerto Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Valparaiso or Puerto Varas?

Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Valparaiso 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.