Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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: Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.
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Punta Arenas Prices
Chile PricesSanta Cruz de la Sierra Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Arenas $79Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Arenas is $79, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 Punta Arenas and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Arenas $32Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Arenas $64Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Punta Arenas and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Arenas $1.80Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Taxi Ride$4.34
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Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Punta Arenas 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 dayPunta Arenas $36Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34
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
Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Snacks$3.18
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.14
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Cookies$1.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Arenas $6.44Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour /El Fuerte & Samaipata: $98
- Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99
- Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $42
- Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
- Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Arenas $4.86Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
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Beer$1.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Punta Arenas and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Arenas or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Punta Arenas and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.
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.