Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or El Chalten?
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 Chalten 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 Chalten?
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 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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $69El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, 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 Fortaleza and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Beach Park: $11
- Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
- Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
- Private transfer: Fortaleza to Fortaleza International Airport (FOR): $26
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $28
- Fortaleza to/from Jericoacoara Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer Airport to/from City Hotels: $32
- Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Round Trip Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Porto das Dunas: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten 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 $24El Chalten $3.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
- Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
- Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $17
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
- Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $21
- The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22
- Historical and Cultural City Tour of Fortaleza: $23
- Jericoacoara Tour in a Full Day - Leaving Fortaleza by Girafatur: $24
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 dayFortaleza $9.97El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and El Chalten, we can see that Fortaleza 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 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 Chalten.
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 Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Fortaleza during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 28°C (82°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in January than El Chalten. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 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 JanuaryFortaleza 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and El Chalten.
Fortaleza is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 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 AprilFortaleza 27°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as El Chalten.
In the winter, Fortaleza is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fortaleza in July average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than El Chalten. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JulyFortaleza 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Fortaleza is generally a little warmer than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 28°C (82°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in El Chalten. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 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 OctoberFortaleza 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Fortaleza
| Fortaleza | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.