A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. El Chalten for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or El Chalten?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $65, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $10. 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 Montevideo and El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $41
    El Chalten $4.49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $82
    El Chalten $8.98
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in El Chalten


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.52
    El Chalten $2.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo City - Montevideo Airport (MVD): $21
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Montevideo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $14
    El Chalten $3.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
  • Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    El Chalten $2.70

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $10
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $30
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    El Chalten $1.24

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and El Chalten, we can see that Montevideo 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo 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 Montevideo Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Montevideo or El Chalten?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Montevideo or El Chalten in the Summer?

Both El Chalten and Montevideo during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Montevideo is cooler than El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montevideo in January average around 24°C (75°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F).

El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montevideo usually gets less rain in January than El Chalten. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    El Chalten 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or El Chalten in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and El Chalten.

In April, Montevideo is generally cooler than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    El Chalten 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or El Chalten in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as El Chalten.

Montevideo is cooler than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than El Chalten. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    El Chalten 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or El Chalten in the Spring?

Both El Chalten and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Montevideo is cooler than El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montevideo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in El Chalten. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    El Chalten 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Montevideo

Montevideo El Chalten
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)