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

Should you visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Huaraz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.52. 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 Huaraz and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huaraz $20
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huaraz $40
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.44
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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 Huaraz


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Huaraz $10
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.18

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 Shuttle Transfer: $36
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
  • 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: $28
  • 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
  • Private Transfer from Bahía López to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $74
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Bahia López: $74

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Huaraz 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
    Huaraz $18
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.83
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

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


  • Lunch
    $5.99
  • Chips
    $1.50

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.
    Huaraz $20
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

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

  • Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
  • Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
  • From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • Huaraz Private City Tour: $80

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
  • From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $20
  • 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
  • Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $39
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $42
  • Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • Half-Day Tour to Circuito Chico and Cerro Catedral with Transportation: $60
  • Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huaraz $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.86

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


Which is Bigger, Huaraz or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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.