A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Port-of-Spain vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Port-of-Spain or Santiago?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Port-of-Spain and Santiago 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: Port-of-Spain or Santiago?

Port-of-Spain

Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.

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


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Port-of-Spain?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Port-of-Spain is $213, 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 Port-of-Spain and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Port-of-Spain $80
    Santiago $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Port-of-Spain $160
    Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Port-of-Spain and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Port-of-Spain 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.

Hotels in Port-of-Spain


Hotels in Santiago


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: Port-of-Spain Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Port-of-Spain $49
    Santiago $5.41

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • 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: Airport SCL to Santiago by Business Car: $81
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $86
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $106
  • City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $213
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer Santiago de Chile to Santiago Airport SCL: $80
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $106
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Port-of-Spain or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Port-of-Spain 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
    Port-of-Spain $94
    Santiago $23

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • 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
  • 4-hour Boozy Chilean Cooking class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Port-of-Spain $59
    Santiago $47

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $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
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Port-of-Spain $22
    Santiago $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
  • Santiago by Night: Funicular, Wine Tasting & Cueca Show: $69
  • 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
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul 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 Port-of-Spain and Santiago, we can see that Port-of-Spain is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Port-of-Spain is in Caribbean Islands 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Port-of-Spain would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Port-of-Spain than you might in Santiago.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Port-of-Spain Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Port-of-Spain or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Port-of-Spain. When comparing the sizes of Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain or Santiago?

Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Port-of-Spain experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Port-of-Spain and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round.

In July, Port-of-Spain is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Port-of-Spain gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Port-of-Spain usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Port-of-Spain gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Port-of-Spain as well as Santiago. Port-of-Spain attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.

Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Port-of-Spain gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Port-of-Spain are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year.

In the winter, Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Port-of-Spain in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.

In January, Port-of-Spain usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Port-of-Spain gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Port-of-Spain 26°C (78°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Port-of-Spain during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Port-of-Spain is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Port-of-Spain gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Port-of-Spain

Port-of-Spain Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)