Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Grande-Terre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre or El Chalten?
Grande-Terre
Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrande-Terre €145El Chalten €9.27
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €145, 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 Grande-Terre and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre €82El Chalten €4.13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre €164El Chalten €8.26
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre €9.00El Chalten €2.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Pointe-a-Pitre to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre Hotels Arrival Transfer: $23
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $26
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre City Hotels to Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to City Hotels: $26
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $26
- Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
- Departure Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $41
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Departure Private Transfer from Le Gosier to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Grande-Terre 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 dayGrande-Terre €48El Chalten €3.42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre €45El Chalten €2.48
Tours and Activities in Grande-Terre
Here are a few actual costs in Grande-Terre for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cruise stopover - Plage du Gosier Round trip: $15
- Cruise Stopover at Village Sainte Anne and its Beach: $31
- Guided tour by electric tuk-tuk: $49
- Stand Up Paddle Adventure in Guadeloupe: $49
- Stopover Cruise - Valombreuse Botanical Garden + Sainte-Anne Beach: $49
- *Cruise Stopover* - Tropical Forest - Sainte-Anne Beach: $60
- Private Surf Lessons Tour in Guadeloupe: $97
- Photoshoot + Drone on a Caribbean paradise beach or day tour : $100
- Full Day Tour of Guadeloupe: $157
- Private Ultralight Seaplane Experience in Guadeloupe: $169
- Full Day Private Boat Tour to the Lagoon of Guadeloupe: $232
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 dayGrande-Terre €12El Chalten €1.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and El Chalten, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grande-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round.
In July, Grande-Terre is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre 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. Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as El Chalten. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Grande-Terre is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre 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. Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year.
In the winter, Grande-Terre is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grande-Terre in January average around 24°C (76°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin July. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Grande-Terre during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Grande-Terre is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. In the spring, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as El Chaltenin October. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | 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) |
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.