Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or San Pedro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Pedro or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro 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: San Pedro or El Chalten?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro $135El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, 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 San Pedro and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and San Pedro 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 daySan Pedro $40El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro $33El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
- Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
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 daySan Pedro $16El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and El Chalten, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro is in Central America and El Chalten is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Pedro or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Pedro or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.
In July, San Pedro is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 28°C (82°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 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 July and JanuarySan Pedro 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and San Pedro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
San Pedro is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 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 October and AprilSan Pedro 26°C (80°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.
In the winter, San Pedro is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Pedro in January average around 24°C (74°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Pedro usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin July. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 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 January and JulySan Pedro 24°C (74°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as El Chalten. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Pedro is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 27°C (80°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. In the spring, San Pedro often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. San Pedro usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 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 April and OctoberSan Pedro 27°C (80°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and San Pedro
| San Pedro | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.