Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Banos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Banos and San Carlos de Bariloche. 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.
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
Set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche is the biggest city in the Lake District. Bariloche is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trekking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding in the summertime.
No matter the time of year, there is something for everyone in Bariloche. Skiing season begins from June to October while fishing season is from November to April. Summer is from December to March, but visiting during low seasons (Spring in October to December and Autumn in late-April to mid-June) also has its benefits when it comes to saving cash and avoiding crowds.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Banos is $46, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40. 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 Banos and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Banos or San Carlos de Bariloche? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Banos 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in San Carlos de Bariloche from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banos and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Banos is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Carlos de Bariloche would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Carlos de Bariloche 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 Banos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Banos than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Banos Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Banos and San Carlos de Bariloche, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.