Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cartagena 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 Cartagena and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $45San Carlos de Bariloche $7.01
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $45, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.01. 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 Cartagena and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $26San Carlos de Bariloche $2.54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $52San Carlos de Bariloche $5.08
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cartagena Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.14San Carlos de Bariloche $2.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.66
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.66
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.66
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.66
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $7.87
- Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $9.51
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Any Hotel in Cartagena: $10
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport - City Center: $10
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- transfer Airport to any Hotels in Bocagrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $30
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $24
- Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $55
- Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $24
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $152
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $48
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $10
- Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
- Cerro Catedral to Bariloche Airport (BRC) - Departure Transfer: $28
- One Way Transfer from Bariloche Airport to or from Llao Llao: $60
- Private Transfer Bariloche Airport BRC to Bariloche or Villa La Angostura by van: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Cartagena 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 dayCartagena $9.36San Carlos de Bariloche $2.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $38
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $42
- Street Food Cooking Class, Mojito making & Fruit tasting: $50
- Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $51
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
-
Pastries$0.01
-
Empanadas$0.03
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $20San Carlos de Bariloche $2.89
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bay Tour by Sports Boat: $0.03
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $8.60
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $8.60
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.60
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.05
- Barù Island Playa Blanca with tourist guide: $9.51
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $10
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: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $21
- From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $23
- Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $29
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
- German Footprint Tour: $29
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $32
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $40
- Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $45
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $63
- President Peron in Bariloche - Historic Tour: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $8.78San Carlos de Bariloche $1.74
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $18
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $21
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
- Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $57
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $64
- Pub Crawl: $70
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$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Cartagena 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena 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 Cartagena Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena 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.
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.