Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo or El Chalten?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 daySao Paulo $52El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, 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 Sao Paulo and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90El Chalten $2.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Sao Paulo to and from Sao Paulo: $27
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $36
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $43
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
- Private Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport Transfer to or from Sao Paulo: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15El Chalten $3.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $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 daySao Paulo $3.52El Chalten $1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $97
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $181
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and El Chalten, we can see that Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and El Chalten averages at about 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than El Chalten. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 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 JanuarySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and El Chalten.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 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 AprilSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as El Chalten.
Sao Paulo is a little warmer than El Chalten in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than El Chalten. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 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 JulySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as El Chalten. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and El Chalten averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. In October, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 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 OctoberSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.