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

Should you visit Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island 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: Vieques Island or El Chalten?

Vieques Island

Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vieques Island and El Chalten, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Vieques Island or El Chalten?

El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vieques Island experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Vieques Island or El Chalten in the Summer?

Both El Chalten and Vieques Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Vieques Island is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 29°C (83°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vieques Island usually gets less rain in July than El Chaltenin January. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vieques Island or El Chalten in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Vieques Island is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vieques Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Vieques Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as El Chaltenin April. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vieques Island or El Chalten in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as El Chalten. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Vieques Island is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vieques Island in January average around 26°C (78°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.

Vieques Island usually gets more rain in January than El Chaltenin July. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vieques Island or El Chalten in the Spring?

Both El Chalten and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In April, Vieques Island is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 27°C (80°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in El Chalten. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. Vieques Island usually receives more sunshine than El Chalten during spring. Vieques Island gets 272 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, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin October. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 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 Vieques Island