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

Should you visit Fortaleza or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and San Carlos de Bariloche can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Fortaleza?

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

  • Fortaleza Prices
    Brazil Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Fortaleza $86
    San Carlos de Bariloche $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $86, 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 Fortaleza and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Transfer from Fortaleza Airport to Hotels in Orla Marítima: $9.02
  • Transfer to Beach Park: $12
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $12
  • Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
  • Transfer from hotels in Orla Marítima to Fortaleza Airport: $18
  • Fortaleza AirPort Executive Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $20
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza City to Fortaleza (FOR) Airport: $27
  • Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer Airport to/from City Hotels: $33
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $33
  • Fortaleza to/from Jericoacoara Transfer: $34
  • Private Transfer from Porto das Dunas to Fortaleza (FOR) Airport: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Villa La Angostura: $277
  • Bariloche: Snow Day at Piedras Blancas Winter Park+Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $175
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $175
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $163
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $146
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $146
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $146
  • BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $145
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Llao Llao to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $141
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to LLao LLao: $130

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $41
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.07

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.
    Fortaleza $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

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

  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $13
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $20
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
  • Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $24
  • Fortaleza Panoramic City Tour with visit to Cumbuco Beach: $24
  • Jericoacoara Tour in a Full Day - Leaving Fortaleza by Girafatur: $26
  • Highlights City Tour: $27
  • Tour to Cumbuco Beach: $28

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-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $90
  • Bariloche Chocolate Sightseeing Tour: Patagonian Flavors Walking Tour: $60
  • Bariloche Craft Beer Sensory Experience: $298
  • Bariloche Flavours Tasting Walking Tour: $95
  • Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $215
  • Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes: $110
  • Bariloche: Andean Region Tour to El Bolsón & Lago Puelo: $70
  • Bariloche: Beer Experience 'Discover the World of Craft Beer': $150
  • Bariloche: Boat Tour to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest: $140
  • Bariloche: Brazo Tristeza Boat Tour and Forest Hike: $82
  • Bariloche: Canopy Tour on Cerro Lopez: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.98
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.70

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
  • Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $122


When comparing the travel costs between Fortaleza and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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.