Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or El Calafate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and El Calafate 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: Fortaleza or El Calafate?
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
El Calafate
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Fortaleza Prices
Brazil PricesEl Calafate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $88El Calafate $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $88, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $61. 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 Fortaleza and El Calafate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30El Calafate $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60El Calafate $76
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and El Calafate
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or El Calafate? 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and El Calafate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21El Calafate $4.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Beach Park: $12
- Transfer from hotels in Orla Marítima to Fortaleza Airport: $18
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $31
- Transfer from Fortaleza Airport to Hotels in Orla Marítima: $9.06
- Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $90
- Transfer 4x4 Fortaleza x Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara x Fortaleza: $211
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $120
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $240
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Cumbuco: $117
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Aquiraz: $106
- Round trip transfer to Jericoacoara: $62
- Private transfer in 4X4 Fortaleza A Jeri or Jeri A Fortaleza: $219
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $460
- Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $441
- Private Airport Transfer: $296
- Minitrekking Perito Moreno: Ice hiking tour (optional transfers): $255
- Direct Private Transfer: El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén: $230
- FTE Aiport transfer Group 4 to 6 people with luggage: $116
- Shared Transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén: $80
- Bus Transfer to Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $77
- Perito Moreno Glacier expedition with transfer Included: $62
- Private Transfer: Calafate Airport to City Center: $59
- Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $45
- Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or El Calafate?
Prices for flights to both El Calafate and Fortaleza 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 dayFortaleza $42El Calafate $6.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo: $55
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Dinner & Show with Transfer: $72
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $92
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $98
- Stargazing Tour with Dinner and Transfers: $120
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Country Afternoon with Dinner Show and Riding: $128
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $179
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner and Horseback Riding: $225
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $255
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15El Calafate $54
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
- Beach of Beautiful Waters + Barra Nova (including Buggy Tour): $52
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $26
- City Tour and Praia Futuro Beach: $163
- City-Tour Private in Fortaleza learn about acity and its history: $89
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
- Cumbuco in 1 Day: Unforgettable Tour: $31
- Exploring Cumbuco: 1-Day Adventure: $31
Tours and Activities in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- “Todo Glaciares” Scenic Glacier Boat Tour from El Calafate: $235
- 2-Day Tours from Torres del Paine & Perito Moreno: $289
- 4 Days & 3 Nights El Calafate & El Chaltén Magical Adventure: $1,350
- Adventure Horseback Riding on Cerro Frias: $150
- CAÑADON EXPERIENCE - TREKKING & STAY - PRIVATE VEHICLE: $1,500
- Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $210
- Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour: $207
- DARWIN EXPERIENCE KAYAK & ADVENTURE: $240
- Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure: $250
- Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $88
- EL CALAFATE Native experience lakes and caverns: $214
- El Calafate City Sightseeing Tour Including Walichu Caves: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $10El Calafate $8.71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and El Calafate, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is El Calafate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Calafate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Calafate 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 Fortaleza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fortaleza than you might in El Calafate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or El Calafate?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and El Calafate, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.