Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Acapulco de Juarez?
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 Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Acapulco de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $92Santiago $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $92, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $35Santiago $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $70Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago? 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $15Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Shared Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Private Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
- Roundtrip Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
- Airport Transfer In Suburban: $45
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $45
- Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $75
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
- From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
- Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
- Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $45Santiago $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- Lucha Libre-Wrestling FiestaExper Taco Dinner Beer ONLY SUNDAYS: $62
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner + Two Drinks plus SUNSET: $66
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only On SUNDAY: $74
- Sunset Dinner and Cliff Divers in Acapulco: $91
- Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour with a Professional Chef: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $253
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $286
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.88
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $22
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $53
- Different Faces Of Acapulco Tour: $55
- Acapulco Port Tour in 4 hours: $56
- 4hr Fun Guide Tour For Cruisers or Hotels Guests with Divers Show: $58
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $60
- Acapulco City Tour: $65
- Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
- City Tour & Sunset High Cliff Divers by Night w/Different Choices: $67
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $67
- Tour Isla de la Roqueta Stand up paddle Acapulco: $67
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $9.81Santiago $8.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Santiago 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago, 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Acapulco de Juarez has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Acapulco de Juarez is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 29°C (83°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the shopping scene.
Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.
In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches.
In April, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Santiagoin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.