Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina La Plata vs. San Carlos de Bariloche for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $21San Carlos de Bariloche $18
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $21, 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 La Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $8.52San Carlos de Bariloche $6.57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $17San Carlos de Bariloche $13
Compare Hotels in La Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $6.07San Carlos de Bariloche $5.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to San Martín de los Andes: $237
- Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $183
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Pampa Linda: $164
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $164
- Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $137
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $137
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $137
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Confluencia Traful: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $8.28San Carlos de Bariloche $6.83
Typical Food prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.03
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$0.03
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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: $312
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $5.31San Carlos de Bariloche $7.49
Typical Entertainment prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.02
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-Day Bariloche & Lake district Classic Tour: $758
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
- 4-day Bariloche Adventure - Trekking Cerro Llao Llao & Kayaking Lago Mascardi: $920
- 5-Day Adventure Trip in Bariloche: $1,645
- 7-Day Bariloche & Mendoza Adventure: Trekking, Kayaking, Horseback riding & Wine: $1,412
- Bariloche 3 tours Classic package The most requested tours in 1 booking: $290
- Bariloche 3 tours with adrenaline: $250
- Bariloche Circuito Grande Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Bariloche Horseback Riding Tour with Traditional Argentine Asado: $110
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $150
- Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $20
- Bariloche package of 3 unique adventure tours: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $2.96San Carlos de Bariloche $4.50
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$0.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that La Plata 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 La Plata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Plata than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
La Plata is bigger, and its population is about 7.3 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the population of La Plata 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.
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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.
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