A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asuncion vs. El Chalten for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asuncion or El Chalten?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or El Chalten, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Asuncion or El Chalten?

Asuncion

Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Asuncion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $69, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $10. 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 Asuncion and El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asuncion $23
    El Chalten $4.49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asuncion $46
    El Chalten $8.98
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in Asuncion 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.

Hotels in Asuncion


Hotels in El Chalten


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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asuncion $8.88
    El Chalten $2.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion

Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
  • Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
  • Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
  • Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
  • RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Asuncion 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Asuncion $17
    El Chalten $3.72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asuncion $16
    El Chalten $2.70

Tours and Activities in Asuncion

For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
  • Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
  • Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
  • Golden Triangle Tour: $110
  • Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
  • Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
  • Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
  • Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
  • Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
  • Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
  • Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asuncion $10
    El Chalten $1.24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.23


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and El Chalten, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion 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 Asuncion Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Asuncion or El Chalten?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Asuncion or El Chalten in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as El Chalten.

Asuncion is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 29°C (84°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asuncion usually gets more rain in January than El Chalten. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Asuncion 29°C (84°F) 
    El Chalten 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or El Chalten in the Autumn?

Both El Chalten and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Asuncion is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asuncion in April average around 24°C (75°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In April, Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of rain as El Chalten. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Asuncion 24°C (75°F) 
    El Chalten 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or El Chalten in the Winter?

Both El Chalten and Asuncion during the winter are popular places to visit.

In July, Asuncion is generally a little warmer than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 19°C (66°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Asuncion usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as El Chalten. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Asuncion 19°C (66°F) 
    El Chalten 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or El Chalten in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and El Chalten.

Asuncion is a little warmer than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in El Chalten this time of the year. In Asuncion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as El Chalten during spring. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of rain as El Chalten. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Asuncion 25°C (77°F) 
    El Chalten 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Asuncion

Asuncion El Chalten
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (84°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 50 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)