A Travel Price Comparison for Chile Valparaiso vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Valparaiso or Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas. 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

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, Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas is $62. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valparaiso $35
    Punta Arenas $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valparaiso $70
    Punta Arenas $62
Compare Hotels in Valparaiso and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Valparaiso or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valparaiso $4.72
    Punta Arenas $1.76
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
  • World Biggest Organic Winery Emiliana, Valparaiso & Transfer : $250
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $239
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $156
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $34
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $50
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $50
  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267

Is it cheaper to fly into Valparaiso or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
    Punta Arenas $20
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

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.02
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valparaiso $18
    Punta Arenas $6.29
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:

  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
  • Cruise Port to Valparaiso & Casablanca: Drop-off in Santiago: $150
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso Visit Mani Restorans Ceviche Empanada: $60
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $87
  • Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $87
  • Neruda Museums Isla Negra & La Sebastiana Valparaiso City Tour: $259
  • PRIVATE TOUR: Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour: $155
  • Pre or Post Valparaiso Cruise with Santiago City Tour and optional Vineyard: $98

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $42
  • Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $64
  • Regular city cruise tour: $65
  • Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
  • Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $157
  • Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $172
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valparaiso $7.61
    Punta Arenas $4.75
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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.17


When comparing the travel costs between Valparaiso and Punta Arenas, we can see that Valparaiso 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valparaiso Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Valparaiso or Punta Arenas?

Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Valparaiso and Punta Arenas, 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.