Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Paz 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 La Paz 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: La Paz or El Chalten?
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
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 Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $118El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $118, 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 La Paz and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $52El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $104El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in La Paz and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in La Paz 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: La Paz Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $22El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and La Paz 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 dayLa Paz $38El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $13El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
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 dayLa Paz $12El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Paz and El Chalten, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Paz is in North America 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz 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 La Paz Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit La Paz or El Chalten?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. El Chalten is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit La Paz or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, La Paz is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 30°C (86°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin January. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 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 JanuaryLa Paz 30°C (86°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit La Paz or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
La Paz is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Paz usually gets less rain in October than El Chaltenin April. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 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 AprilLa Paz 27°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit La Paz or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and El Chalten. Many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, La Paz is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Paz in January average around 18°C (65°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, La Paz usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 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 JulyLa Paz 18°C (65°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit La Paz or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as El Chalten. Many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.
In April, La Paz is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 23°C (73°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the spring, La Paz often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. La Paz usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 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 OctoberLa Paz 23°C (73°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and La Paz
| La Paz | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.