Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Mendoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mendoza 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 Mendoza 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: Mendoza or El Chalten?
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
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 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.
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Mendoza Prices
Argentina PricesEl Chalten Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $59El Chalten $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $59, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $68. 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 Mendoza and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $44El Chalten $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $88El Chalten $104
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza 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: Mendoza Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $4.37El Chalten $2.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Regular Airport and Hotel Central in Mendoza: $9.00
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $11
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $13
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) Private Transfer to Mendoza City: $18
- Private Transfer MDZ Airport - Main Town: $20
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $23
- One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Private Transfer between Airport and Hotel in Mendoza: $29
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $33
- Private One Way Transfer from Mendoza Airport to Hotel: $35
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Chalten
Some specific examples of transportation prices in El Chalten:
- Private Transfers in El Chaltén and PN Los Glaciares: $80
- Private Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Mendoza 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 dayMendoza $6.11El Chalten $6.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $69
- Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza: $95
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $180
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $185
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $196
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Winery & Michelin-Star Dinner Saffron barrels. Private Transport: $260
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $25El Chalten $28
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Self-Guided Bike Tour in Luján de Cuyo Wine Region (Mendoza): $23
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $24
- City Tour: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Mendoza Highlights: Half-Day City Tour: $28
- Mendoza City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $29
- Renacer Winery Experience: $30
- Bike Tour with Winery and Olivicola Tastings: $30
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $34
- Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Half-Day Tour: $34
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $35
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: $220
- Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $120
- Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $6.21El Chalten $6.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $80
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil: $99
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $99
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
- Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $121
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $182
When comparing the travel costs between Mendoza and El Chalten, we can see that El Chalten is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mendoza Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
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.