Travel Budget for El Chalten Visit El Chalten on a Budget or Travel in Style

El Chalten, Provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina

El Chalten is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to El Chalten?

You should plan to spend around $91 (AR$95,433) per day on your vacation in El Chalten. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $9.09 (AR$9,565) on meals
  • $3.42 (AR$3,601) on local transportation
  • $141 (AR$148,167) on hotels

A one week trip to El Chalten for two people costs, on average, $1,269 (AR$1,336,062). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

In recent years, the Argentine Peso has been very unstable. Therefore, travel cost estimates can sometimes be inaccurate for this country.
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $91
    AR$95,433
  • One Week Per person
    $635
    AR$668,031
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,269
    AR$1,336,062
  • One Month Per person
    $2,720
    AR$2,862,990
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,269
    AR$1,336,062
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $2,539
    AR$2,672,124
  • One Month For a couple
    $5,440
    AR$5,725,980
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to El Chalten cost?

A one week trip to El Chalten usually costs around $635 (AR$668,031) for one person and $1,269 (AR$1,336,062) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to El Chalten on average costs around $1,269 (AR$1,336,062) for one person and $2,539 (AR$2,672,124) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in El Chalten will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to El Chalten on average costs around $2,720 (AR$2,862,990) for one person and $5,440 (AR$5,725,980) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is El Chalten expensive to visit?

El Chalten is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.

If you choose to make it so, El Chalten can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by looking for discounts and coupons.

On average, budget travelers spend $40 (AR$41,616) per day, mid-range travelers spend $92 (AR$95,433) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $178 (AR$184,320) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to El Chalten.

Within South America, El Chalten is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Torres del Paine National Park or Temuco.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is El Chalten Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to El Chalten?

The average El Chalten trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these El Chalten travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to El Chalten cost?

El Chalten on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
$31
(AR$32,411)
$70
(AR$74,083)
$134
(AR$141,565)
Local Transportation 1 $1
(AR$1,563)
$3
(AR$3,601)
$7
(AR$7,061)
Food 2 $4
(AR$4,104)
$9
(AR$9,565)
$18
(AR$19,456)
Entertainment 1 $16
(AR$17,281)
$38
(AR$39,934)
$75
(AR$79,074)
Alcohol 2 $2-5
(AR$1,799-5,396)
$4-12
(AR$4,281-12,842)
$9-26
(AR$9,260-27,781)

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

It's important to have realistic expectations for your travel budget. While many people assume they can travel to El Chalten without spending much money, the reality is that most people are not comfortable traveling on an extremely low "shoestring" budget. Consider what you really enjoy doing when you are on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you like to experience all of the activities, museums, and sights? Is dining out at delicious restaurants important to you? Your answers to these questions will affect your overall travel budget and itinerary.

Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?

Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $40 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.

For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.

Fortunately, El Chalten has plenty of hostels such as La Comarca Hostel, Aylen-Aike Hostel, and Rancho Grande Hostel. At hostels like these, you can find cheap accommodation in a dorm as well as a social atmosphere, but with very little amenities.

Is Your Travel Style Average?

Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Visitors to El Chalten typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $92 per person, per day.

El Chalten boasts a wide array of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share accommodations with a partner, friend, or children, thus reducing your expenses. Families should prioritize hotels and restaurants that are geared toward kids. Hosteria Kaulem is an excellent family-friendly option, while Hotel Poincenot is also superb. You can find additional family and couple-friendly hotels in our hotel guide for El Chalten here.

What Luxury Travel Looks Like

If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $178 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range.

Accommodation Budget in El Chalten

El Chalten has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $106 in the off-season and averages $198 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $56 to $422. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in El Chalten for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $141 (AR$148,167). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $70 (AR$74,083) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $70
    AR$74,083
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $141
    AR$148,167

Hotels in El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in El Chalten? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in El Chalten

The average hotel room price in El Chalten based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $106 in the low season and $198 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in El Chalten include:

  • Confin Patagonico starting at $95
  • Destino Sur Hotel & Spa de Montana starting at $202
  • Chalten Suites Hotel starting at $200
  • Posada y Cabanas El Barranco starting at $71
  • Hotel Lunajuim starting at $169
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in El Chalten

Traveling in the low or shoulder season (and not in ) means you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists around.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in El Chalten

El Chalten does not has a good public transit system.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $3.42 (AR$3,601) per person, per day, on local transportation in El Chalten. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in El Chalten is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $3.42
    AR$3,601



Flights to El Chalten
How much does it cost to go to El Chalten? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in El Chalten
The price of renting a car in El Chalten will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in El Chalten

Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in El Chalten can vary significantly, the average cost of food in El Chalten is $9.09 (AR$9,565) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $9.09
    AR$9,565

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in El Chalten is around $9 (AR$9565) per person, with previous travelers spending from $4 to $19. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in El Chalten are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $1 to $3
  • Lunch: $1 to $4
  • Dinner: $3 to $6
  • Coffee: $1
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $1

El Chalten is famous for its cosy and rustic wooden eateries with seatings around a fire pit or a bar, ideal for post-trek drinks and where, during high season, you may find it hard to get a seat and could end up sharing a table with other travelers. Many restaurants offer yummy tapas and the rest of the menu is usually hearty Argentine dishes such as stews, steaks, Bife de Chorizo, trout, lamb, milanesas (a thin slice of meat covered in breadcrumbs and fried), which all need to be washed down with delicious Argentine wine. Look out for excellent value menu del dia (menu of the day) with generous portions that many restaurants offer at lunch-time. There is also a great amount of choice for vegetarians in El Chalten. Pasta, pizza, salads and other wonderful, wholesome, home-cooked foods are popular as well in the little town.

Food & Dining Tips

Countless hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, but some will add it as an additional fee. The price and quality can change based on the hotel. Being informed ahead of time can aid in deciding whether to budget extra funds. You might enjoy the delightful buffet offered at the hotel, or perhaps a more economical option would be a nearby bakery or cafe.

Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.

When planning your tour, don't forget to check what meals are included. You might have to pay for some of your own food, which could add to your expenses.



Sightseeing and Activities Budget in El Chalten

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in El Chalten typically cost an average of $38 (AR$39,934) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $38
    AR$39,934

Unlike the tourists of El Calafate, travellers who go to El Chalten are mostly hiking lovers and mountaineers, as the city is the starting point to many excursions around the Fitz Roy (3 441m) and the cerro Torre (3 138m). However you can also leave on a boat excursion on the Viedma glacier (USD$37 plus transport fee) with Patagonia Aventura. There are 1 to 2 excursions per day from October to April, departing from Bahia Tunel, about 18km away from El Chalten. While it is not as imposing as the Perito Moreno, the 30min navigation on the Viedma Lake towards the 40m tall glacier remains spectacular. Climbing is another famous activity in El Chalten. Many travel agencies offer climbing on ice excursions with experimented guides, on the Torre glacier as well as the Viedma glacier. You can also ask the agencies about their rock wall climbing excursions.



El Chalten, also known as the Capital of Trekking, offers various splendid hikes departing from the Centro de Visitantes del Parque Nacional. For those who wish to start with an easy hike to admire the region, Los Condores and Las Aguilas (2h return trip) provides a panoramic view on El Chalten as well as on the Viedma Lake and the surrounding steppe. Then if you are feeling adventurous, the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (8h return trip) is a medium level hike offering one of the most beautiful views of the region, with a spectacular panoramic point at 1490 m of altitude on the Viedma Lake, El Chalten's valley, the Grande Glaciar throwing itself in the Laguna Torre and the Fitz Roy. Other hikes depart at the north of the town, an easy 45 minutes walk to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfalls, the perfect spot to enjoy your picnic, is great for a relaxed afternoon. Otherwise, to get the best viewpoints on the Fitz Roy, the hike of medium difficulty to the Laguna Capri (3h-4h return trip) is a great option. Diverse varieties of ducks are found around the lagoon during summer. If you want to push yourself a little further, you may continue your hike towards the Laguna de Los Tres (8h-9h return trip) and you may even decide to stop for the night at the free camping site Poincenot or Río Blanco. You can also take a shuttle or your car to the Hosteria El Pilar from which you can reach the Poincenot camping more easily and quickly. You can then go up to the Laguna de Los Tres, and perhaps go back down by the original path if you wish to see a different panorama on the way back. Finally, do not mix up the hike of high difficulty to the Laguna Toro (7h to ascent, with an authorised camping site) for which you need to register at the Centro de Visitantes del Parque Nacional before leaving, with the Laguna Torre hike (6h-7h return trip), which departs from the center of El Chalten. Campamento de Agostini is a free camping site available near the Laguna Torre. For those in good physical condition, you can climb another 2km (about 1h) to reach the Mirador Maestri.

Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore El Chalten. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia for $120 details
  • Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten for $120 details
  • 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza for $90 details

Recommended Activities


Nightlife Budget in El Chalten

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $8.13 (AR$8,561) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in El Chalten per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $8.13
    AR$8,561
Nightlife Tips

The nightlife scene is a lot of fun, but reducing how much you drink can go a long way in keeping your budget on track.



Travel cost data last updated: Dec 17, 2024

Budgeting and Travel Tips for El Chalten

  • Expect to see increased prices and more visitors during peak season in . To save money and avoid the throngs of tourists, try scheduling your visit for the shoulder or low seasons.
  • Slowing your travel tempo can not only save you money but also let you enjoy the stunning beauty of your surroundings. When you pack each day with activities, costs can rise rapidly. However, a more relaxed pace usually leads to lower expenses and a more enjoyable experience.

Budgeting Challenges

  • There aren't many public transportation options in El Chalten. Organizing another form of transport, like a tour or private driver, might be necessary. Just know that this could stretch your budget in other places.
  • El Chalten isn't the best place for hostels, so if you're aiming for a budget dorm, you might want to rethink your plans. Checking for cheap hotels or apartment rentals is a better alternative.
Traveling in El Chalten
El Chalten El Chalten, Argentina

El Chalten is probably one of the most beautiful areas of Patagonia, especially at the slightest ray of sunshine and one of your cheapest destination while you are travelling in Patagonia. Indeed, you will spend your days hiking and there are no park fees. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, and outdoor stores but most of them will not accept credit cards so before heading out, get cash in El Calafate or your previous stop. For the beginners, it will be long hikes in a magical setting and for the experts perhaps a week long expedition to the greatest glaciers of the world. To discover the way people live in the pampa, you may also decide to stay at an Estancia. In the stunning Estancia Santa Thelma, about 300km away from El Chalten, you will be able to explore the surroundings by horse, live a unique experience in the middle of the nature and its vast plains occupied by thousands of merino sheep and horses and of course eat a typical meal of the region.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.