Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ponce 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 Ponce 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: Ponce or El Chalten?
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $205El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $205, 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 Ponce and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151El Chalten $4.42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Ponce and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Ponce 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: El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $60
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Ponce 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 dayPonce $35El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Food Tour : $130
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Footsteps in San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Salsa Tours PR Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan, Puerto Rico : $29
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Guided City Walking Tour: $32
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Bio Bay Boat Tour with Swimming from La Parguera, Puerto Rico: $50
- Turtle spotting snorkeling adventure- no Jets : $50
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 dayPonce $16El Chalten $1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and El Chalten, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands 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 Ponce would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ponce 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 Ponce Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ponce or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ponce experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ponce or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In July, Ponce is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (83°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In July, Ponce usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin January. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPonce 28°C (83°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ponce or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Ponce during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Ponce is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 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 Ponce. Ponce usually gets less rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPonce 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Ponce or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the winter, Ponce is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ponce in January average around 25°C (77°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, Ponce usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin July. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPonce 25°C (77°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Ponce or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ponce as well as El Chalten. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ponce is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the spring, Ponce often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Ponce usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPonce 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Ponce
| Ponce | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.