Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or El Chalten?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Chalten or Easter Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between El Chalten and Easter Island 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: El Chalten or Easter Island?
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.
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Chalten $9.93Easter Island $80
The average daily cost (per person) in El Chalten is $9.93, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 El Chalten and Easter Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Chalten $4.42Easter Island $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Chalten $8.84Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in El Chalten and Easter Island
Looking for a hotel in El Chalten or Easter Island? 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.El Chalten $2.37Easter Island $2.59
Is it cheaper to fly into El Chalten or Easter Island?
Prices for flights to both Easter Island and El Chalten 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 dayEl Chalten $3.66Easter Island $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Chalten $2.66Easter Island $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$8.38
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
- Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
- Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $91
- Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $97
- Private Sunrise Tour at 15 Moai Tongariki Park: $120
- Full day tour - DREAM: $120
- The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
- Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125
- Tour to the Motus: Boat trip and snorkeling in Rapa Nui: $149
- Rapa Nui: Private Tour "The Legend of the BirdMan": $150
- Private Tour: The Underground World of Rapa Nui Caves: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Chalten $1.22Easter Island $5.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Chalten and Easter Island, we can see that Easter Island 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 Easter Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Easter Island 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 El Chalten Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit El Chalten or Easter Island?
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 El Chalten or Easter Island in the Summer?
Both Easter Island and El Chalten during the summer are popular places to visit.
El Chalten is a little warmer than Easter Island in the summer. The daily temperature in El Chalten averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. El Chalten usually gets more rain in January than Easter Island. El Chalten gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryEl Chalten 27°C (81°F)Easter Island 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit El Chalten or Easter Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both El Chalten and Easter Island.
In the autumn, El Chalten is around the same temperature as Easter Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in El Chalten in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Easter Island averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, El Chalten usually receives more rain than Easter Island. El Chalten gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilEl Chalten 21°C (70°F)Easter Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit El Chalten or Easter Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to El Chalten as well as Easter Island.
In July, El Chalten is generally cooler than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in El Chalten average around 16°C (61°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Easter Island. El Chalten usually gets less rain in July than Easter Island. El Chalten gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyEl Chalten 16°C (61°F)Easter Island 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit El Chalten or Easter Island in the Spring?
Both Easter Island and El Chalten are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
El Chalten is a little warmer than Easter Island in the spring. The daily temperature in El Chalten averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Easter Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. El Chalten usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during spring. El Chalten gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. In October, El Chalten usually receives more rain than Easter Island. El Chalten gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberEl Chalten 22°C (72°F)Easter Island 20°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Easter Island and El Chalten
| El Chalten | Easter Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm (3.4 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.