A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brasilia vs. San Carlos de Bariloche for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Brasilia or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Brasilia or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Brasilia

The capital city of Brazil, Brasilia is a uniquely-planned city that was constructed in four years from 1956-1960 in the shape of a large bird or airplane. Renowned for its modern architecture, the city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide.

San Carlos de Bariloche

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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Brasilia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Brasilia Prices
    Brazil Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Brasilia $106
    San Carlos de Bariloche $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Brasilia is $106, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $85. 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 Brasilia and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brasilia $35
    San Carlos de Bariloche $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brasilia $70
    San Carlos de Bariloche $138
Compare Hotels in Brasilia and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Brasilia 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.

Hotels in Brasilia


Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche


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: Brasilia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brasilia $22
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:

  • Airport Transfer - Llao Llao Hotel: $98
  • BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $73
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $29
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $166
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $73
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $50
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
  • Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $14
  • Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $19
  • Bariloche: Snow Day at Piedras Blancas Winter Park+Transfer: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Brasilia or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Brasilia 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 day
    Brasilia $55
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Carlos de Bariloche

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Carlos de Bariloche.

  • Bariloche: TRE Experience – “Three-Course Dinner. Catena Zapata”: $135
  • Bariloche: El Mallín. Dinner with Tango Show: $185
  • Bariloche: Winter Night – Evening Activities in the Snow with Dinner and Show: $275
  • Bariloche Nordic Night: Quad Bike Ride and Dinner on Cerro Otto: $410
  • Bariloche: Snowmobile Ride with 4-Course Dinner: $425
  • Bariloche: Snow Adventure and 4-Course Dinner: $425
  • Bariloche: Evening Snowmobile Ride with Dinner at La Cueva Catedral: $428

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brasilia $19
    San Carlos de Bariloche $32

Tours and Activities in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:

  • Bariloche: Play Soccer With Locals – Recreational Soccer Experience: $30
  • Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $39
  • Bariloche: Circuito Chico, Iconic Views of Bariloche in One Tour: $40
  • Adventure motorcycle and snow on Otto Hill: $41
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
  • Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
  • Bariloche: Circuito Chico Bike Rental Adventure: $42
  • Bariloche: Guided Tour of Cerro Catedral: $43
  • Bariloche: Circuito Chico with Tour Guide: $56
  • Bariloche Chocolate Sightseeing Tour: Patagonian Flavors Walking Tour: $60
  • Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
  • Bariloche: Lake Gutierrez Guided Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brasilia $14
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.63

Sample the Local Flavors in San Carlos de Bariloche

Also in San Carlos de Bariloche, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bariloche: Patagonian Experience wine tasting: $95
  • Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $110


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


Which is Bigger, Brasilia or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Brasilia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Brasilia 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.