Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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.
Which city is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$75
San Carlos de Bariloche
$54
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $75, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $54. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $60. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $40 for a double occupancy room in San Carlos de Bariloche.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
San Carlos de Bariloche $20
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$60
San Carlos de Bariloche
$40
Food
In Buenos Aires, Argentina travelers spend around $24 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The average traveler spends about $20 per day in San Carlos de Bariloche for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch
$0.23
-
Cup of Coffee
$0.13
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Empandas
$0.17
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Espresso
$0.08
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Dinner (Pizza)
$0.14
-
Ice Cream
$0.13
-
Breakfast at Airport
$0.34
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Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.10
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Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
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Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
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Lunch for 2
$1.50
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Cake and Coffee
$4.84
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Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.06
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Lunch
$7.61
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$28
Typical Food prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
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Pastries
$0.13
-
Empanadas
$0.29
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.
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Night hiking in the woods with headlamps & Candlelit dinner:
$70
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Half-Day Bariloche Highlights with Cooking Class & Beer Tasting -Private Service:
$274
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around San Carlos de Bariloche is $17 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $12
San Carlos de Bariloche $17
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport
$1.22
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.32
-
Taxi
$0.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
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Arrival Private Transfer Bariloche Airport BRC to Bariloche City by Minivan:
$292
-
Arrival Private Transfer Bariloche Airport BRC to Bariloche City by SUV:
$150
-
Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer:
$53
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Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer:
$16
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Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer:
$53
-
Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer:
$16
-
Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer:
$106
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Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer:
$32
-
Bariloche Airport Roundtrip Transfer:
$52
-
Departure Private Transfer Bariloche City to Bariloche Airport BRC by Minivan:
$292
-
Departure Private Transfer Bariloche City to Bariloche Airport BRC by SUV:
$150
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Private Airport Transfer: Bariloche to San Carlos De Bariloche Airport (BRC):
$35
Entertainment
Buenos Aires, Argentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
San Carlos de Bariloche's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $22 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
San Carlos de Bariloche $22
Typical Entertainment prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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:
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Bariloche Civic Center Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
Bariloche Historic District Walking Tour:
$16
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German Footprint Shared Tour:
$16
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Cerro Catedral Sightseeing Tour:
$22
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Bariloche Scenic Circle Tour:
$27
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Half Day Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula:
$35
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Bariloche Sightseeing Tour:
$40
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German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche:
$40
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Nahuel Huapi National Park AdmissionTicket:
$40
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Mount Tronador and the Black Glacier Day Tour:
$50
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Bariloche Flavours Tasting Walking Tour:
$60
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San Martín de los Andes por 7 Lagos Full-Day Tour:
$62
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in San Carlos de Bariloche per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol
Drinks for one day
Buenos Aires, Argentina $13
San Carlos de Bariloche $13
Typical Alcohol prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer
$0.11
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.18
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$6.08
Typical Alcohol prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in San Carlos de Bariloche from other travelers:
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:
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City Tour, Nature Hiking & visit to a Local Microbrewery in Bariloche:
$281
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buenos Aires, Argentina than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
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