A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand-Bourg vs. El Chalten for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg 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: Grand-Bourg or El Chalten?

Grand-Bourg

Marie-Galante is an island of the Guadeloupe archipelago, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Sometimes called the "Big Pancake" for its circular shape and flat terrain, the island is a prime location for sugar fields which provide the ingredients for Marie Galante's famous cane juice rum. The island is also known for its many windmills, beaches, and historic plantations.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Grand-Bourg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand-Bourg is €180, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is €9.27. 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 Grand-Bourg and El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand-Bourg 98
    El Chalten 4.13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand-Bourg 196
    El Chalten 8.26
Compare Hotels in Grand-Bourg and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in Grand-Bourg 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.

Hotels in Grand-Bourg


Hotels in El Chalten


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand-Bourg 53
    El Chalten 2.21

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand-Bourg or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Grand-Bourg 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 day
    Grand-Bourg 49
    El Chalten 3.42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand-Bourg 26
    El Chalten 2.48

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 day
    Grand-Bourg 39
    El Chalten 1.14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand-Bourg and El Chalten, we can see that Grand-Bourg is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand-Bourg is in Caribbean Islands and El Chalten is in South 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 Grand-Bourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand-Bourg 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 Grand-Bourg Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Grand-Bourg or El Chalten?

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

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or El Chalten in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand-Bourg and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand-Bourg year-round.

In July, Grand-Bourg is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand-Bourg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Grand-Bourg gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Grand-Bourg 27°C (81°F) 
    El Chalten 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or El Chalten in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Grand-Bourg as well as El Chalten. Grand-Bourg attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Grand-Bourg is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand-Bourg averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Grand-Bourg receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand-Bourg usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Grand-Bourg gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Grand-Bourg 27°C (80°F) 
    El Chalten 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or El Chalten in the Winter?

Both El Chalten and Grand-Bourg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand-Bourg throughout the year.

In the winter, Grand-Bourg is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand-Bourg in January average around 24°C (76°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

In January, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin July. Grand-Bourg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Grand-Bourg 24°C (76°F) 
    El Chalten 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or El Chalten in the Spring?

Both El Chalten and Grand-Bourg during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand-Bourg because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Grand-Bourg is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 26°C (78°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Grand-Bourg. In the spring, Grand-Bourg often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Grand-Bourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.

El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as El Chaltenin October. Grand-Bourg gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Grand-Bourg 26°C (78°F) 
    El Chalten 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Grand-Bourg

Grand-Bourg El Chalten
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)