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

Should you visit Caracas or El Chalten?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Caracas and El Chalten can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Caracas or El Chalten?

Caracas

Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caracas and El Chalten, we can see that El Chalten is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas 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 El Chalten would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in El Chalten than you might in Caracas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caracas Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.

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

El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Caracas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Caracas or El Chalten in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caracas and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Caracas year-round.

In July, Caracas is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Caracas average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Caracas usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin January. Caracas gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caracas or El Chalten in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caracas as well as El Chalten. Caracas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Caracas is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Caracas usually gets less rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Caracas gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caracas or El Chalten in the Winter?

Both El Chalten and Caracas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Caracas throughout the year.

In the winter, Caracas is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caracas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

In January, Caracas usually receives around the same amount of rain as El Chaltenin July. Caracas gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caracas or El Chalten in the Spring?

Both El Chalten and Caracas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Caracas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Caracas is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Caracas average around 27°C (80°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Caracas often gets less sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Caracas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.

El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caracas usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Caracas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Caracas