Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Puerto Montt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt 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: Puerto Montt or El Chalten?
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Montt $89El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Montt is $89, 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 Puerto Montt and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Montt $61El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Montt $122El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Puerto Montt and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Montt 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: Puerto Montt Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Montt $6.43El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Montt or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Puerto Montt 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 dayPuerto Montt $21El Chalten $3.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Montt $14El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
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 dayPuerto Montt $4.49El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Montt and El Chalten, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Puerto Montt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Puerto Montt is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Puerto Montt average around 16°C (60°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In January, Puerto Montt usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Puerto Montt gets 90 mm (3.5 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 JanuaryPuerto Montt 16°C (60°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Puerto Montt during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Puerto Montt is much colder than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Montt averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as El Chalten. Puerto Montt gets 143 mm (5.6 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 AprilPuerto Montt 11°C (51°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Montt and El Chalten.
In the winter, Puerto Montt is much colder than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Montt in July average around 7°C (45°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Puerto Montt usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Puerto Montt gets 229 mm (9 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 JulyPuerto Montt 7°C (45°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Montt as well as El Chalten.
In October, Puerto Montt is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Puerto Montt average around 11°C (51°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In the spring, Puerto Montt often gets less sunshine than El Chalten. Puerto Montt gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Puerto Montt usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as El Chalten. Puerto Montt gets 121 mm (4.8 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 OctoberPuerto Montt 11°C (51°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Puerto Montt
| Puerto Montt | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.