Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or San Juan del Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and El Chalten. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or El Chalten?
San Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Argentina.
-
San Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua PricesEl Chalten Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan del Sur $66El Chalten $65
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $66, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $65. 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 San Juan del Sur and El Chalten in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan del Sur $21El Chalten $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan del Sur $42El Chalten $100
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and El Chalten
Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur 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: San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and El Chalten Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan del Sur $17El Chalten $2.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or El Chalten?
Prices for flights to both El Chalten and San Juan del Sur 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 daySan Juan del Sur $32El Chalten $6.48
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan del Sur $15El Chalten $27
Tours and Activities in El Chalten
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for El Chalten are as follows:
- Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $100
- Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $100
- 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $220
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan del Sur $13El Chalten $5.80
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan del Sur and El Chalten, we can see that San Juan del Sur is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Juan del Sur is in Central America and El Chalten is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten?
El Chalten has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
In July, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as El Chaltenin January. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 27°C (81°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives more rain than El Chaltenin January. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as El Chalten. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than El Chalten in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and El Chalten fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in El Chalten. San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets more rain in October than El Chaltenin April. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)El Chalten 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten in the Winter?
Both El Chalten and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
In the winter, San Juan del Sur is much warmer than El Chalten. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan del Sur in January average around 26°C (79°F), and El Chalten averages at about 16°C (61°F)in July.
In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin July. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)El Chalten 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit San Juan del Sur or El Chalten in the Spring?
Both El Chalten and San Juan del Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Juan del Sur is generally a little warmer than El Chaltenin October. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 29°C (84°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In El Chalten, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than El Chaltenin October. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while El Chalten receives 205 hours of full sun.
El Chalten gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than El Chaltenin October. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)El Chalten 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for El Chalten and San Juan del Sur
| San Juan del Sur | El Chalten | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.