Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Bocas del Toro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bocas del Toro 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: Bocas del Toro or El Chalten?
Bocas del Toro
The capital of the Bocas del Toro province, this city of the same name sits in the Caribbean West region of Panama. Bocas del Toro, or Bocas Town, is in the district of Bocas del Toro, which also includes the towns of Bastimentos, Cauchero, Punta Laurel, and Tierra Oscura. The district has a population of about 17,000 and covers a total area of 433.2 square kilometers, and the town has a population of about 13,000. The area is a tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving, and interesting culture.
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 from Panama City, The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $77El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $77, 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 Bocas del Toro and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi$3.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Colón Port to Panama Tocumen Airport PTY: $42
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
- Transfer Colon Cruise Terminal - Tocumen Airport or Panama City: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Bocas del Toro 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 dayBocas del Toro $27El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch$15
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Breakfast$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $22El Chalten $2.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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Yoga Class$5.01
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Dolphin Bay and Coral Cay with Drinks Private Tour in Zapatilla: $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Panama from Colón Cruise Port: $231
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 dayBocas del Toro $12El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and El Chalten, we can see that Bocas del Toro is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bocas del Toro 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 Bocas del Toro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bocas del Toro 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 Bocas del Toro Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bocas del Toro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Bocas del Toro during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Bocas del Toro is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than El Chaltenin January. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 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 JanuaryBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round.
Bocas del Toro is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin April. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 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 AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as El Chalten. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Bocas del Toro is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bocas del Toro in January average around 25°C (77°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than El Chaltenin July. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 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 JulyBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Bocas del Toro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year.
In April, Bocas del Toro is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in El Chalten. Bocas del Toro usually receives less sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Bocas del Toro gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin October. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 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 OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 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.