Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Florianopolis or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis or El Chalten? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Florianopolis or El Chalten?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, 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 Florianopolis and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26El Chalten $4.42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Snack$0.44
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26El Chalten $2.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tour Historic Center of Florianópolis: $12
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68El Chalten $1.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and El Chalten, we can see that Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as El Chalten.
In January, Florianopolis is generally around the same temperature as El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 25°C (76°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than El Chalten. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Florianopolis is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Florianopolis is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florianopolis in July average around 17°C (62°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than El Chalten. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and El Chalten.
In October, Florianopolis is generally cooler than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 20°C (68°F), 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. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 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. Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.