Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and El Chalten. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Liberia or El Chalten?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLiberia $112El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, 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 Liberia and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Liberia and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Hotel and Vice Versa: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $18
- Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
- Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to RIU Hotels & More: $19
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Peñas Blancas Nicaragua: $26
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $21El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- La Leona Waterfall: Private tour in Rincon de la Vieja!: $43
- Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- Zip-line Adventure: $53
- Horseback Riding Tour: $59
- Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62
- Zipline at Skyline Canopy Tour Guanacaste Costa Rica: $65
- From Tubing Adventure at Rio Negro: $65
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 dayLiberia $13El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and El Chalten, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Liberia or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Liberia experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Liberia or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
Liberia is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Liberia. In July, Liberia usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Liberia gets 164 mm (6.5 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 JanuaryLiberia 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Liberia or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Liberia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Liberia is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Liberia in October average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. Liberia usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Liberia. April to December is the rainy season in Liberia.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLiberia 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Liberia or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
In January, Liberia is generally much warmer than El Chaltenin July. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In January, Liberia usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. Liberia gets 8 mm (0.3 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 JulyLiberia 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Liberia or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Liberia as well as El Chalten. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Liberia is a little warmer than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Liberia this time of the year. In the spring, Liberia often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Liberia gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Liberia usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Liberia is the dry season. April to December in Liberia is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLiberia 29°C (85°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Liberia
| Liberia | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.