Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento and El Chalten can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten?
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, 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 Colonia del Sacramento and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento 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: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Colonia del Sacramento 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $19El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $24El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking tour around Colonia del Sacramento Old Town: $15
- Goup Walking Tour - Spanish Only: $18
- Shared City Tour at sunset in Historic Neighborhood: $20
- Regular City Tour in Portuguese: $25
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- Hike at promenade + entry ticket to bullring (Walk 5.5km): $28
- Winery tour with shared transport and tasting included: $38
- Shared Boat Tour Experience - Colonia del Sacramento: $43
- Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
- Full gastronomic experience: Uruguayan meat,cheese and wine: $55
- Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
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 dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and El Chalten, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as El Chalten.
Colonia del Sacramento is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than El Chalten. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 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 JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in April average around 18°C (65°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In April, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 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 AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Colonia del Sacramento during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 12°C (53°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than El Chalten. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JulyColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and El Chalten.
Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in El Chalten this time of the year. In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 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. Colonia del Sacramento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 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 OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 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.