Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or El Chalten, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salvador or El Chalten?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Salvador and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
- Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $23
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
- Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $24
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $24
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
- Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Salvador 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 daySalvador $13El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.85
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Tour to Praia do Forte and Guarajuba: $30
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 daySalvador $5.38El Chalten $1.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:
- Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and El Chalten, we can see that Salvador 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 Salvador would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salvador 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Salvador 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 Salvador or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and El Chalten.
In the summer, Salvador is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salvador in January average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 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 JanuarySalvador 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as El Chalten.
In April, Salvador is generally a little warmer than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (80°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than El Chalten. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 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 AprilSalvador 26°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Salvador or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Salvador is much warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than El Chalten. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 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 JulySalvador 24°C (75°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Salvador or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Salvador is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salvador in October average around 26°C (78°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets more sunshine than El Chalten. Salvador gets 228 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 Salvador. Salvador usually gets less rain in October than El Chalten. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 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 OctoberSalvador 26°C (78°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Salvador
| Salvador | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.