Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Elena or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santa Elena and El Chalten. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Santa Elena or El Chalten?
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
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 Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, 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 Santa Elena and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena 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.Santa Elena $11El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $180
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Santa Elena 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 daySanta Elena $24El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $26
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $30
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $30
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $30
- CuriCancha Reserve Admission Ticket: $33
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $34
- Night Adventures in Monteverde: $35
- Natural History Tour - Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve: $35
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Regular Guided tour Monteverde Reserve: $38
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 daySanta Elena $6.22El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and El Chalten, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Santa Elena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Santa Elena or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Santa Elena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in July than El Chaltenin January. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In October, Santa Elena is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin April. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin April. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as El Chalten. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Santa Elena is much warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in July.
Santa Elena usually gets less rain in January than El Chaltenin July. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
In the spring, Santa Elena is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in El Chalten. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In April, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin October. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.