Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pucon 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 Pucon 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: Pucon or El Chalten?
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $100El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, 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 Pucon and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43El Chalten $4.42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Pucon and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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.Pucon $19El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $115
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Pucon 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 dayPucon $38El Chalten $3.66
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pucon $37El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
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 dayPucon $27El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and El Chalten, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pucon or El Chalten?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Pucon or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and El Chalten.
Pucon is much colder than El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Pucon usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPucon 16°C (61°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pucon or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pucon as well as El Chalten.
In the autumn, Pucon is much colder than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pucon in April average around 11°C (52°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pucon usually gets less rain in April than El Chalten. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPucon 11°C (52°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Pucon or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Pucon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Pucon is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 7°C (45°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Pucon. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyPucon 7°C (45°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Pucon or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Pucon during the spring are popular places to visit.
Pucon is much colder than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Pucon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as El Chalten. Pucon gets 198 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets less rain in October than El Chalten. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPucon 11°C (52°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Pucon
| Pucon | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.