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

Should you visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo?

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 Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo?

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.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Chalten and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since El Chalten is in South America and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Puerto Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and El Chalten during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In January, El Chalten is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in El Chalten average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. El Chalten usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. El Chalten gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both El Chalten and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

El Chalten is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in El Chalten averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

Puerto Viejo 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 less rain than Puerto Viejoin October. El Chalten gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to El Chalten as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In the winter, El Chalten is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in El Chalten in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. El Chalten usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. El Chalten gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit El Chalten or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and El Chalten are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, El Chalten is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in El Chalten average around 22°C (72°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. El Chalten usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. El Chalten gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in El Chalten. In October, El Chalten usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. El Chalten gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and El Chalten