vs
Rio de Janeirois 34% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (31/10) vs El Calafate "Pricey" (27/10). Dorms avg $20/night vs $27/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇦🇷 El Calafate
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
14 hostels, avg 8.5 rating
★★★★★
23 hostels, avg 8.9 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $62/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $106/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $6.15, dorms avg $20
★★★★★
Coffee $2.36, dorms avg $36
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $3.28, 14 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $1.85, 23 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
20 attractions
★★★★★
26 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇦🇷 El Calafate | 🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $36 | $24 cheaper | $12/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $49 | $38 cheaper | $11/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $72 | $63 cheaper | $9/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇦🇷 El Calafate | 🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $11.20 | $6.45 42% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $17.55 | $15.55 11% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $3.28 | $1.85 44% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $6.15 | $2.36 62% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.75 40% less | $1.25 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇦🇷▼
El Calafate
Argentina
27
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $20/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelI Keu Ken Hostel (9.7)
Annual dorm avg$20/night
Total hostels14
🇧🇷▼
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
31
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $36/night). Strong hostel scene (23 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelChez Zany Santa Teresa (9.9)
Annual dorm avg$27/night
Total hostels23
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇦🇷 El Calafate
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇺🇸 US
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇬🇧 UK
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇦🇺 Australia
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇨🇦 Canada
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between El Calafate & Rio de Janeiro
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇦🇷 El Calafate
14°C
High
/
7°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 62mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro
30°C
High
/
24°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 202mm/month
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇦🇷 El Calafate
1. GlaciariumFree
2. Artesanos marketFree
3. Centro de Interpretación HistóricaFree
4. Don BoscoFree
5. Francisco P. Moreno MemorialFree
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro
1. Confeitaria ColomboFree
2. Museu da RepúblicaFree
3. SugarloafFree
4. Almirante BarrosoFree
5. Curva do CalomboFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is El Calafate or Rio de Janeiro cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in El Calafate vs Rio de Janeiro?+
Do I need a visa for El Calafate or Rio de Janeiro?+
When is the best time to visit El Calafate or Rio de Janeiro?+
What's the cheapest month to visit El Calafate and Rio de Janeiro?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Keep Exploring
Explore These Cities
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds