A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Veracruz vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Punta Arenas?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

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 from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Veracruz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Veracruz and Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $54
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $108
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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 Veracruz


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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $28
    Punta Arenas $1.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

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

  • Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
  • Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
  • Airport Transfer: $25
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
  • Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

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

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Veracruz 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
    Veracruz $50
    Punta Arenas $21

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

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


  • Donut
    $1.05
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Veracruz $15
    Punta Arenas $6.44

Tours and Activities in Veracruz

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

  • 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $102
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
  • Adventure through the Chachalacas Beach and Dunes from Veracruz: $123
  • Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
  • Antigua and Zempoala Tour from Veracruz: $86
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
  • Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
  • City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
  • Coffee Route, an adventure of aroma and flavor to Veracruz: $150
  • From Veracruz or Boca del río: Coffee Tour in Coatepec: $96
  • From Alvarado, Tlacotalpan and Agustín Lara Tour: $100
  • From Catemaco, Nature, Waterfalls & Monkeys Tour: $100

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

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

  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
  • Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
  • Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
  • Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
  • Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
  • Private City Cruise Tour: $225
  • Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Veracruz $17
    Punta Arenas $4.86

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

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


  • Alcohol
    $7.34


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Punta Arenas, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North America and Punta Arenas is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz than you might in Punta Arenas.

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


Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Punta Arenas?

Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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.


When is the best time to visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Punta Arenas is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Veracruz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas in the Summer?

Both Punta Arenas and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Veracruz is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas during summer. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Veracruz. In July, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin January. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Veracruz 27°C (81°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

Both Punta Arenas and Veracruz during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Veracruz is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin April. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (79°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the autumn, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin April. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenasin April. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Veracruz 26°C (79°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Punta Arenas.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. Veracruz is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F)in July.

Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin July. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Veracruz 21°C (71°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Veracruz or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Punta Arenas.

In the spring, Veracruz is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Veracruz this time of the year. In the spring, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin October. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than Punta Arenasin October. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Veracruz 26°C (78°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Veracruz

Veracruz Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (71°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 22°C (71°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 24°C (74°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 290 mm (11.4 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 410 mm (16.1 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 346 mm (13.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 25°C (76°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)