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

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Should you visit Cuenca or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cuenca 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.

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

Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.

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 Cuenca?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, 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 Cuenca and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cuenca $13
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cuenca $26
    San Carlos de Bariloche $13
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Cuenca 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 Cuenca


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: Cuenca Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cuenca $11
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.63
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:

  • Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
  • Cuenca Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Cuenca Departure Transfer: $34
  • Shared transfer from Cuenca Airport to Hotel: $45
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Cuenca: $45
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan: $74
  • Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan: $74
  • Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104

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: $60
  • Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Cerro Catedral - Arrival Transfer: $27
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $9.10
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $54
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $9.10
  • Bariloche Airport One Way Transfer: $11
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $61
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $27
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $11
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $27

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Cuenca 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
    Cuenca $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.87
Typical Food prices in Cuenca

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Snacks
    $5.00
  • Empanada
    $1.50
  • Hot Dog
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.

  • Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
  • Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
  • Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
  • Private Cooking Class: $125

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: $319

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cuenca $16
    San Carlos de Bariloche $7.53

Tours and Activities in Cuenca

Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cuenca Excursion Panoramic City Tour SightSeeingTour in double-decker bus: $8.34
  • Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
  • Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
  • Cuenca electric scooter tour: $30
  • Walking Tour Through The Historic Center Of Cuenca: $30
  • Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
  • Cajas National Park Half OR Full day tour from Cuenca: $40
  • Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
  • Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
  • Historical City Tour: $43
  • El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
  • Biking Cuenca City Tour: $45

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: Cerro Campanario Chairlift Ticket: $11
  • Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $14
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $15
  • Cerro Catedral Sightseeing Tour: $15
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $25
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $25
  • German Footprint Tour: $25
  • Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $35
  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $44
  • Cerro Catedral Tour in English : $45
  • President Peron in Bariloche - Historic Tour: $50
  • Bariloche Circuito Grande Sightseeing Tour: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cuenca $14
    San Carlos de Bariloche $4.52

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 Cuenca and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Cuenca 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 Cuenca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cuenca than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.

Which is Bigger, Cuenca or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Cuenca is bigger, and its population is about 2.9 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the population of Cuenca 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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Cuenca vs. San Carlos de Bariloche Travel Comparison

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