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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40. 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 $2.68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
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 and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.83
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.42
  • Transfer to Beach Park: $11
  • Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
  • Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Fortaleza to Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) - Departure Transfer: $16
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Fortaleza City: $25
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza to Fortaleza International Airport (FOR): $26
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Transfers to and from San Martín de los Andes: $295
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to San Martín de los Andes: $235
  • Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $181
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $163
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $163
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $163
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $163
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $136
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $136
  • Transfers to and from Villa La Angostura: $134
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Confluencia Traful: $108

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 $24
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fortaleza

For Fortaleza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Thematic Show with Rotation of Pizzas in Aquiraz: $27

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.
    Fortaleza $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

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

  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $17
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $21

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 Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $197
  • Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $130
  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
  • Bariloche: Blest Port and Cantaros Waterfall Tour : $170
  • Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
  • Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
  • Bariloche: Private Enchanted Valley Tour with Lunch: $495
  • Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
  • From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
  • From Bariloche: Victoria Island & the Arrayanes Forest Tour: $128
  • From Rio Manso Rafting Tour: $185
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83

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