Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima 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 Lima 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: Lima or El Chalten?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $77El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $77, 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 Lima and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Lima and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.73El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Miraflores City to Lima Airport(LIM) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Lima 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 dayLima $18El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.66El Chalten $2.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
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 dayLima $5.63El Chalten $1.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and El Chalten, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lima or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Lima or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Lima is cooler than El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°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. In July, Lima usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin January. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 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 JanuaryLima 18°C (64°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lima or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Lima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Lima is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°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. Lima usually gets less rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 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 AprilLima 19°C (66°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lima or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In January, Lima is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin July. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 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 JulyLima 23°C (73°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Lima or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lima as well as El Chalten. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Lima is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°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. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Lima usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 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 OctoberLima 22°C (72°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Lima
| Lima | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.