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

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Should you visit Cali or El Chalten?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and El Chalten can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cali or El Chalten?

Cali

Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.

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.

Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Cali?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $24, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $24. 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 Cali and El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cali $5.90
    El Chalten $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cali $12
    El Chalten $20
Compare Hotels in Cali and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in Cali 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 Cali


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: Cali Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cali $5.51
    El Chalten $5.61
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali

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

  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $17
  • Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer from Cali City -Cali Airport (CLO): $22
  • Transfer in Private Car from Cali Airport (CLO) -Cali City: $22
  • Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $24
  • Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Cali or Palmira Hotels to Alfonso Airport CLO Departure Transfer: $24
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $25
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City- Cali Airport (CLO): $25
  • Transfer Airport Private- Hotels North: $36
  • Transfers from Cali airport comfortable and safe: $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Chalten

Some specific examples of transportation prices in El Chalten:

  • From El Calafate: Full-Day Private Transfer to El Chaltén: $527

Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Cali 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
    Cali $8.40
    El Chalten $8.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali

For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour: $18
  • Alameda Market Food Tour: $52
  • Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $53
  • Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cali $10
    El Chalten $6.31

Tours and Activities in Cali

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

  • 3 Hours Alameda Market Tour: $13
  • Half Day Tour of the Historic Center of Cali: $13
  • Tourist and private transportation in the city of Cali: $25
  • Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
  • 3-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour: $27
  • Cali City Tour: $29
  • Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $33
  • Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Medicinal Plant Private Tour in La Galeria Alameda of Cali: $35
  • The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $35
  • Craft Beer Tour in Cali: $35

Tours and Activities in El Chalten

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for El Chalten are as follows:

  • 2-Day Hiking Tour of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from El Chalten: $700
  • 2-Day Self-guided Adventure Laguna de los Tres, Fitz Roy & Torre Mt: $325
  • 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $55
  • 3-Day Eco-Lodge Trekking Tour at Los Glaciares National Park from El Chalten: $900
  • Full day 1 night Laguna De Los Tres and Eco Domes Experience: $400
  • Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $145
  • Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cali $8.32
    El Chalten $2.89

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Cali and El Chalten, we can see that Cali is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Cali vs. El Chalten Travel Comparison

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