Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Buzios or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios 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: Buzios or El Chalten?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $77El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios 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 Buzios and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $37El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $74El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Buzios and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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: El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $19El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Santos Dumont (SDU): $28
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $28
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $32
- Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio city hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $43
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $47
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $24El Chalten $3.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $27El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
- Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $24
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
- Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $29
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $29
- Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $32
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
- 7 Beaches In Búzios With Photos On A Private Tour!: $35
- Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $37
- From Buzios To Arraial With Photos On A Private Tour!: $50
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 dayBuzios $17El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and El Chalten, we can see that Buzios 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
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.