Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
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 Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66San Carlos de Bariloche $7.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, 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 Foz do Iguacu and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $50
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $140
- Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $161
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $36
- Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $55
- Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $36
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $72
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
- Cerro Catedral to Bariloche Airport (BRC) - Departure Transfer: $27
- One Way Transfer from Bariloche Airport to or from Llao Llao: $60
- Private Transfer Bariloche or Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport BRC by van: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Foz do Iguacu 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
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Food Meals for one dayFoz do Iguacu $22San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $52
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
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Pastries$0.01
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Empanadas$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Humming Bird Garden Experience in Iguazu: $5.00
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $14
- Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
- Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
- Bird Park Tour: $25
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $34
- Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
- Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
- Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
- Itaipu Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
- Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $43
- City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48
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: $15
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
- Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
- German Footprint Tour: $29
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $29
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
- From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $39
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
- Private Tour of Bariloche and Los Balcones Panoramicos: $54
- Half-Day Tour to Circuito Chico and Cerro Catedral with Transportation: $56
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
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:
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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.