Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Argentina.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesEl Chalten Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $122El Chalten $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $122, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $68. 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 Rio de Janeiro and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67El Chalten $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134El Chalten $104
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.10El Chalten $2.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG): $18
- Private One Way Transfer to or from Rio: $19
- Private Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- Private Transfer Economic GIG / SDU up to 4 pax to South Zone: $26
- Transfer from Santos Dumont Airport to Zona Sul Rio: $26
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $27
- Transfer: Galeão Airport(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro City: $28
- Transfer:Rio de Janeiro City Center -Galeão Airport (GIG): $29
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $31
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Rio to Galeao Airport: $36
- Private One-way Airport Transfer From Galeao Airport To Rio: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Chalten
Some specific examples of transportation prices in El Chalten:
- Private Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén: $300
- Private Transfers in El Chaltén and PN Los Glaciares: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $35El Chalten $6.77
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.60
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $55
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $79
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- Rio Night Food Tour: Street Food, Local Drinks & Hidden Gems: $95
- Rio Food Tour: Local Favorites, Hidden Gems & Brazilian Flavors: $96
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $97
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $102
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22El Chalten $28
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $4.52
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $4.53
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.53
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.49
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $6.72
- Rio de Janeiro Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h00 and 24 reviews: $7.40
- Discover A Guided Tour: $8.27
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $12
- Electric Bike Tour: $16
- Self-Guided Tour of Rio's Journey from Colonialism to Democracy: $20
Tours and Activities in El Chalten
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for El Chalten are as follows:
- Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $120
- Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $120
- 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12El Chalten $6.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $33
- Dance the Night Away at a Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $38
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Rio Pub Crawl with Caipirinhas & Bar Bites: $95
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and El Chalten, we can see that Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and El Chalten. The summer months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives around the same amount of rain as El Chalten. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 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 JanuaryRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as El Chalten. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally a little warmer than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in April than El Chalten. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. December to April in Rio de Janeiro is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JulyRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F).
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in October than El Chalten. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the dry season in Rio de Janeiro. December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.