Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Valparaiso?
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 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile, and The Best Adventure Tours to Chile.
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Valparaiso Prices
Chile PricesPunta Arenas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValparaiso $82Punta Arenas $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Valparaiso is $82, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $79. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValparaiso $36Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValparaiso $72Punta Arenas $64
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valparaiso $4.83Punta Arenas $1.80
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:
- Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $259
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
- Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
- Transfer from Punta Arenas 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
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Food Meals for one dayValparaiso $38Punta Arenas $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$1.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
- 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:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Valparaiso $18Punta Arenas $6.44
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:
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
- Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
- Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $189
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $112
- Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $112
- Horse Ride & BBQ in Ritoque Beach&Dunes FROM VALPO. Private Tour: $298
- Jewels of Viña del Mar – Guided Walking Tour: $218
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Fort Bulnes Historical Tour: $39
- City Tour: $60
- City Tour Shore Excursion for Cruisers: $60
- Punta Arenas City Tour Shore Excursion: $60
- Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers: $80
- Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
- Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $88
- Monte Tarn Trekking Tour with Guide: $129
- Torres Del Paine and Milodon Cave Full Day Tour: $135
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValparaiso $7.78Punta Arenas $4.86
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$0.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.33
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.
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.