Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Mazatlan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mazatlan or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mazatlan 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: Mazatlan or El Chalten?
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in 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 dayMazatlan $79El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Mazatlan is $79, 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 Mazatlan and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMazatlan $33El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMazatlan $66El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Mazatlan and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Mazatlan 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: Mazatlan Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mazatlan $21El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
Is it cheaper to fly into Mazatlan or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Mazatlan 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 dayMazatlan $34El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mazatlan $9.59El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
- Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
- El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
- Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
- Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
- Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $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 dayMazatlan $18El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mazatlan and El Chalten, we can see that Mazatlan is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Mazatlan or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and El Chalten. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 29°C (83°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Mazatlan usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 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 JanuaryMazatlan 29°C (83°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as El Chalten. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months.
Mazatlan is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 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 AprilMazatlan 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Mazatlan is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mazatlan in January average around 20°C (67°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 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 JulyMazatlan 20°C (67°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Mazatlan or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Mazatlan during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In April, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 22°C (72°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 Mazatlan. In the spring, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Mazatlan gets 250 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. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Mazatlan 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 OctoberMazatlan 22°C (72°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Mazatlan
| Mazatlan | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.