Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City 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: Belize City or El Chalten?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, 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 Belize City and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Belize City and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $90
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 dayBelize City $12El Chalten $1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and El Chalten, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central 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 Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City 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 Belize City Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Belize City or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Belize City or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Belize City as well as El Chalten. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Belize City is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belize City in July average around 28°C (82°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than El Chaltenin January. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBelize City 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.
In October, Belize City is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin April. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 26°C (80°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin April. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBelize City 26°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Belize City or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Belize City during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Belize City is a little warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than El Chaltenin July. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBelize City 24°C (74°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Belize City or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.
In the spring, Belize City is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belize City in April average around 27°C (80°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in El Chalten this time of the year. In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Belize City gets 256 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. In April, Belize City usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin October. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBelize City 27°C (80°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Belize City
| Belize City | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.