Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Sucre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sucre or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or El Chalten? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sucre or El Chalten?
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
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 La Paz, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySucre $43El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $43, 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 Sucre and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11El Chalten $4.42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Sucre and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Sucre 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: Sucre Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Sucre 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
-
Food Meals for one daySucre $18El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
-
Dinner$4.48
-
Juice$0.87
-
Juice$1.01
-
Chocolate$1.73
-
Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sucre $16El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- Walking tour in History, Culture & Amazing Views: $18
- Walking tour Sucre: $18
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $19
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
- From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13El Chalten $1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sucre and El Chalten, we can see that Sucre 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 Sucre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sucre 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 Sucre Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
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.