A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valdivia vs. El Chalten for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Valdivia or El Chalten?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Valdivia 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: Valdivia or El Chalten?

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

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 10-Day Tours in Chile, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valdivia and El Chalten, we can see that Valdivia 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 Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia 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 Valdivia Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Valdivia 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 Valdivia or El Chalten in the Summer?

Both El Chalten and Valdivia during the summer are popular places to visit.

Valdivia is much colder than El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Valdivia averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valdivia usually gets less rain in January than El Chalten. Valdivia gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or El Chalten in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valdivia and El Chalten.

In the autumn, Valdivia is much colder than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valdivia in April average around 11°C (52°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F).

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Valdivia usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Valdivia gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valdivia or El Chalten in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valdivia as well as El Chalten.

In July, Valdivia is generally much colder than El Chalten. Daily temperatures in Valdivia average around 7°C (45°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the winter. Valdivia usually gets more rain in July than El Chalten. Valdivia gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or El Chalten in the Spring?

Both El Chalten and Valdivia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Valdivia is much colder than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Valdivia averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in El Chalten. Valdivia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as El Chalten during spring. Valdivia gets 198 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. It's quite rainy in Valdivia. In October, Valdivia usually receives less rain than El Chalten. Valdivia gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Valdivia