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

Should you visit Buzios or Punta Arenas?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Punta Arenas? 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: Buzios or Punta Arenas?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Buzios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Buzios Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Punta Arenas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Buzios $91
    Punta Arenas $79

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $91, 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 Buzios and Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $36
    Punta Arenas $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $72
    Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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 Buzios


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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $18
    Punta Arenas $1.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport : $182
  • Private transfer from Buzios to the GIG Airport : $182
  • Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio : $170
  • Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $134
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $118
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $118
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $91
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

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

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $78
  • Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $78
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Punta Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $43
  • Punta Arenas Airport PUQ to Punta Arenas Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Punta Arenas Airport Private Transfer: $33
  • Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Buzios 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
    Buzios $40
    Punta Arenas $36

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.
    Buzios $25
    Punta Arenas $6.44

Tours and Activities in Buzios

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

  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $31
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $31
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Arraial do Cabo: $120
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $93
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $112
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $19
  • Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $58
  • Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $64
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $26

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
  • Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
  • Cruises shore Excursions: City Tour Cruises Private: $230
  • For Cruise-ship passengers: Magdalena Island (Penguins): $200
  • Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • Guided Tour of Punta Arenas and Fort Bulnes: $300
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
  • Magallanes National Reserve and Punta Arenas City Tour: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour and Marta Island: $165
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $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
    $7.33


When comparing the travel costs between Buzios and Punta Arenas, we can see that Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Punta Arenas?

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