Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated October 2026
Valparaíso is easier to travel (2.4 vs 2.6). Biggest gap: getting around — San Pedro de Atacama 3 vs Valparaíso 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking ›
| Item | San Pedro de Atacama | Valparaíso | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | CLP$ 12,000$12.6 | CLP$ 9,000$9.47 | Valparaíso −25% |
| Street food1 item | CLP$ 3,000$3.16 | CLP$ 2,500$2.63 | Valparaíso −17% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | CLP$ 28,000$29.5 | CLP$ 20,000$21.1 | Valparaíso −29% |
| Coffeeone cup | CLP$ 3,500$3.68 | CLP$ 3,500$3.68 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | CLP$ 4,500$4.74 | CLP$ 3,500$3.68 | Valparaíso −22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | CLP$ 8,000$8.42 | CLP$ 6,000$6.32 | Valparaíso −25% |
| Bottled water | CLP$ 1,200$1.26 | CLP$ 1,000$1.05 | Valparaíso −17% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | CLP$ 1,200$1.26 | CLP$ 1,300$1.37 | San Pedro de Atacama −8% |
| Taxi5 km in town | CLP$ 5,000$5.26 | CLP$ 5,000$5.26 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | CLP$ 3,000$3.16 | CLP$ 2,500$2.63 | Valparaíso −17% |
| Transitone ride | CLP$ 6,000$6.32 | CLP$ 500$0.53 | Valparaíso −92% |
| Scooter rentalper day | CLP$ 10,000$10.5 | CLP$ 15,000$15.8 | San Pedro de Atacama −33% |
| Hotel night3-star | CLP$ 100,000$105 | CLP$ 60,000$63.2 | Valparaíso −40% |
| Studio rent (month) | CLP$ 550,000$579 | CLP$ 380,000$400 | Valparaíso −31% |
| Laundry | CLP$ 3,000$3.16 | CLP$ 6,000$6.32 | San Pedro de Atacama −50% |
| SIM card1 week data | CLP$ 15,000$15.8 | CLP$ 8,000$8.42 | Valparaíso −47% |
| Haircutcut | CLP$ 10,000$10.5 | CLP$ 9,000$9.47 | Valparaíso −10% |
| Massage1 hour | CLP$ 35,000$36.8 | CLP$ 30,000$31.6 | Valparaíso −14% |
| Half-day tourper person | CLP$ 30,000$31.6 | CLP$ 30,000$31.6 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | CLP$ 11,000$11.6 | CLP$ 8,000$8.42 | Valparaíso −27% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Valparaíso is 29% cheaper than San Pedro de Atacama. Daily budget $197 vs $135; a month $3,006 vs $2,206.
Valparaíso is easier: Valparaíso 2.4/5 vs San Pedro de Atacama 2.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, San Pedro de Atacama is about $3,006 and Valparaíso about $2,206 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.