Is Chile Expensive?
How much do you need when traveling around Chile?
This epic South American country has it all. In the north we can see breathtaking desert landscapes, in the center metropolitan cities and the towering Andes, as well as the glacial wonderlands of Patagonia in the south.
Overall Chile really is a dream for adventure travelers and photographers alike!
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling Chile, such as for accommodation, food and getting around.
As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Chile Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Chile remains one of the most expensive countries that you can travel around in Latin America. This is mostly due to its high levels of economic stability and growth, with the country often being compared with those of Europe.
Travelers can live off a daily budget of $30-40, which includes staying in a really nice dorm room (or budget private room) as well as eating several, filling local meals.
Things to know before traveling to Chile
- Make Sure to Pack Warm Clothing – Looks can be quite deceiving here, and places such as San Pedro de Atacama (in the desert) may be scorching during the day, however soon becomes freezing when the evening hits. Patagonia is also cold year-round, whilst cities like Antofagasta and Santiago are also a little more chilly at night. For this reason be sure to bring a warm coat and jumpers.
- Take Advantage Of Chile’s Domestic Flights – We are usually not one to recommend flying, however in Chile it’s a good idea. Firstly the distances are massive, and even those who are usually patient on buses will get cranky after a while here. Secondly, you can find flights for as low as $30 with providers like JetSmart, making it both convenient and good for the wallet.
- Adjust Your Budget Expectations – One of the biggest shocks when we went to Chile was just how expensive everything was. Couple this with the fact that you’ll probably arrive from either Bolivia or Argentina (which are both super cheap right now), then you’re bound to have a big surprise! Staying in dorm rooms in hostels is by far the best way to off-set how much you’ll be spending each day here.
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How much does a trip to Chile cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend between $30-40 a day in Chile, whilst those who want a more deluxe experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $45-55 a day.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in Chile
Whilst costs of backpacking Chile are usually high, accommodation is actually the one area where you’ll be able to spend similar to other South American countries.
Hostels are a perfect option here, and are located in all of the prime spots throughout Chile. A dorm bed will go around for $6-8, and the hostel will usually include extras like breakfast and hot showers (oh how you’ll need these when here…).
If you’re heading to Santiago, then we recommend staying at the Wild Bellavista Hostel. Here you’ll be located in a nice neighborhood with lots of restaurants and great nightlife nearby.
Those who prefer a more comfortable room will also find these in abundance around Chile, although they do tend to jump up in price (to around $20-25 a night). Of course you can find cheaper ones, however these tend to be located in non-strategic districts (far from everything worth seeing).
In San Pedro de Atacama we suggest staying in a private room at the Hostal Casa de los Duendes. Here you’ll have your own private bathroom with hot showers, as well as also being located in a more relaxed area of town.
Cost of Food in Chile
Overall you’ll find costs here in Chile to be higher than other Latin American countries. A typical dish will cost between $5-7, which also includes a drink.
Those on a budget can also find the local menu ejecutivos too which are great for saving, which usually cost around $3. As well as your main dish, you’ll also have a starter and drink too which is pretty filling.
In nicer restaurants (such as in areas like Lastarria in Santiago) you can expect to spend anywhere from $8-14+ for one person. Whilst a lot, it’s worth doing this at least a couple of times along your trip though to try out some of the more luxurious Chilean dishes on offer (such as a Curanto or Pastel de Choclo).
Cost of Transportation in Chile
As you can imagine, transport costs while backpacking Chile can quickly add up. This is not actually due to higher travel costs per km (which is the case in neighboring Argentina), however is actually because of the total distances that you’ll need to traverse.
For example, the 19 hour bus from Santiago to Antofagasta costs around $40, which is pretty good value for a bus trip of that distance. For an idea of a shorter trip, there is the 5 hour bus from Antofagasta to San Pedro de Atacama which costs roughly $20.
Some of the best bus companies to look out for in Chile include Pullman and Estrella de Oro, both of which we had good experiences using to get around this country.
We explored this earlier, however must repeat the benefits of using air travel as a way of getting around Chile. Despite it being an overall more expensive country to travel around, domestic flights remain cheap and really efficient. Airlines like JetSmart provide various routes on a budget, such as from Santiago to Calama for just $30 (not including baggage fees).
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Chile
Chile is full of incredible things to see and do, from stargazing in the Atacama Desert to exploring wineries on bike through the Andes Mountains.
The great thing about many of these experiences is that you can custom tailor it to your own budget and preferences. For example, in San Pedro de Atacama you can go with a local tour to explore the desert, where you can choose from different tour lengths if just wanting to see desert, or longer if wanting to visit sites such as the Valle de La Luna.
Those who are more adventurous (or want to save) can also rent a bike from town and go desert exploring independently too!
Organized Tours are also great for seeing other sites. In various destinations you’ll find a tonne of local tour companies who offer competitive rates, although they can vary on quality and what’s included.
You can also pre-book experiences before you arrive to guarantee your spot. We recommend doing it when wanting to go Stargazing in the Atacama Desert. This desert night tour is a perfect way to see all kinds of constellations and bright stars. You’ll also have all transport, professional telescope photos as well as wine included in the experience.
Chile Travel Cost FAQs
Is Chile Expensive for Tourists?
And that’s all for our guide on how expensive Chile is.
Traveling around Chile really is an adventure, where we can experience all kinds of climates and biomes in this extremely long country.
We’ll also find there’s lots of must-see gems within the cities too, such as ancient history museums and the panoramic miradores.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Chile. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Be sure to read our Backpacking Chile Itinerary to learn how to best use your time when in this memorable South American nation.
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