Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and El Chalten can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or El Chalten?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122El Chalten $9.93
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60El Chalten $4.42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120El Chalten $8.84
Compare Hotels in Tulum and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28El Chalten $2.37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34El Chalten $3.66
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32El Chalten $2.66
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
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 dayTulum $25El Chalten $1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and El Chalten, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or El Chalten?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. El Chalten is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tulum or El Chalten in the Summer?
Both El Chalten and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tulum is around the same temperature as El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 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 JanuaryTulum 28°C (83°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or El Chalten in the Autumn?
Both El Chalten and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten averages at about 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 Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Tulum or El Chalten in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and El Chalten. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Tulum is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin July. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin July. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JulyTulum 23°C (74°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Tulum or El Chalten in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as El Chalten. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Tulum is a little warmer than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Tulum usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and Tulum
| Tulum | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.