Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten? 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: Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
El Chalten
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $9.93. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten? 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $29El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $25
- Sunset Adventures: $30
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- Combo 6 Hr Tour All City Highlights Divers Baby Turtle Release: $46
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
Tours and Activities in El Chalten
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for El Chalten are as follows:
- 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $55
- Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $90
- Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and El Chalten, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and El Chalten 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 El Chalten would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Chalten 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 Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez than you might in El Chalten.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. El Chalten is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Acapulco de Juarez has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and El Chalten. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in July average around 29°C (83°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as El Chalten. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Acapulco de Juarez is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin April. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 28°C (83°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as El Chaltenin April. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.
In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in April average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F)in October.
In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
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.