A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Puerto Varas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas?

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 Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Dar es Salaam?

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

  • Dar es Salaam Prices
    Tanzania Prices
    Puerto Varas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dar es Salaam $493
    Puerto Varas $127

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $127. 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 Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dar es Salaam $452
    Puerto Varas $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dar es Salaam $904
    Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas? 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 Dar es Salaam


Hotels in Puerto Varas


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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dar es Salaam $14
    Puerto Varas $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
  • Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
  • Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
  • Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
  • Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $63
  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
  • Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $47
  • Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
  • Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $25
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
  • Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Dar es Salaam 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
    Dar es Salaam $33
    Puerto Varas $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dar es Salaam -
    Puerto Varas $19

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.

  • Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
  • Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
  • Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
  • The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
  • Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
  • Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
  • Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
  • Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
  • Bagamoyo Tour: $120
  • Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
  • Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
  • From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
  • Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $162
  • Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
  • Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
  • Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $120
  • Private Tour of Sport Rock Climbing: $150
  • Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
  • FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dar es Salaam $7.97
    Puerto Varas $6.51


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Puerto Varas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas, 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 Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas?

Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Puerto Varas. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin January. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (77°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Varas and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin April. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin April. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Dar es Salaam 25°C (78°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

Both Puerto Varas and Dar es Salaam during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin July. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Dar es Salaam 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.

Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin October. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Dar es Salaam 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)