Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas 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 Varas 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 Varas or El Chalten?
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect 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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, 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 Varas $109El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, 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 Varas and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25El Chalten $3.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67
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 Varas $6.51El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and El Chalten, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Varas 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 Varas or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and El Chalten.
In January, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 16°C (60°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Puerto Varas usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Puerto Varas 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 Varas 16°C (60°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as El Chalten.
Puerto Varas is much colder than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as El Chalten. Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Puerto Varas is much colder than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Varas in July average around 7°C (45°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Puerto Varas 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 Varas 7°C (45°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Puerto Varas during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 11°C (51°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than El Chalten. Puerto Varas gets 151 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 Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as El Chalten. Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | 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.