Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Punta Arenas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Punta Arenas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Punta Arenas?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesPunta Arenas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Punta Arenas $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, 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 Zanzibar and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $250
- The Top Best Tour in Stone Town and Prison Island with Transfer: $130
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $120
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $99
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $99
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Departure Transfers.: $90
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Matemwe: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Jambiani: $89
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kendwa: $89
- Private Transfer from Kiwengwa to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $89
- Private Transfer from Michamvi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $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 Zanzibar or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $30Punta Arenas $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
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.Zanzibar $13Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $145
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
- Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
- Stone Town Historical tour: $26
- Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
- 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79
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
- Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- 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 dayZanzibar $7.20Punta 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:
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Alcohol$7.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Punta Arenas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Arenas than you might in Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Punta Arenas?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in January.
In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenasin January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Punta Arenas. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Punta Arenas can be very cold. In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin July. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in October.
Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
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.