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

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Should you visit Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

Should I visit Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

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

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

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 place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Buzios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $80, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $18. 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 Buzios and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $39
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $78
    San Carlos de Bariloche $13
Compare Hotels in Buzios and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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 Buzios


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: San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $20
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $25
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $29
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $29
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Santos Dumont (SDU): $29
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio city hotels: $37
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $43
  • Shared Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $45
  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $67
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $79
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $103

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to San Martín de los Andes: $240
  • Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $185
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $166
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Pampa Linda: $166
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $138
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $138
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $138
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Confluencia Traful: $111

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Buzios 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
    Buzios $25
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.83

Typical Food prices in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:


  • Pastries
    $0.03
  • Empanadas
    $0.08

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.

  • Half-Day Bariloche Highlights with Cooking Class & Beer Tasting -Private Service: $312

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $28
    San Carlos de Bariloche $7.49

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $13
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $15
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $15
  • Schooner Cruise in Búzios: $15
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $16
  • Super Flor Boat Tour - Arraial do Cabo - Brazilian Caribbean: $20
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $20
  • Land and nautical city tour. unforgettable Búzios: $20
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $25
  •  Trolley Tour Through the City Buzios: $28
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $30

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:

  • 4-Day Bariloche & Lake district Classic Tour: $758
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • 4-day Bariloche Adventure - Trekking Cerro Llao Llao & Kayaking Lago Mascardi: $920
  • 5-Day Adventure Trip in Bariloche: $1,645
  • 6-Days Unique Experience Lake Crossing & Mountains Region!: $1,671
  • 7-Day Bariloche & Mendoza Adventure: Trekking, Kayaking, Horseback riding & Wine: $1,412
  • Bariloche 3 tours Classic package The most requested tours in 1 booking: $290
  • Bariloche 3 tours with adrenaline: $250
  • Bariloche Circuito Grande Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding Tour with Traditional Argentine Asado: $106
  • Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $150
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $18
    San Carlos de Bariloche $4.50

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:


  • Beer
    $0.03

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche is bigger, and its population is about 4.1 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the population of Buzios vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.

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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Buzios vs. San Carlos de Bariloche Travel Comparison

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