Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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 Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina.
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Mar del Plata Prices
Argentina PricesSan Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $57San Carlos de Bariloche $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $57, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $87. 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 Mar del Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $43San Carlos de Bariloche $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $86San Carlos de Bariloche $142
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $3.13San Carlos de Bariloche $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Adventure in Piedras Blancas: Sledding Day with Transfers: $190
- Bariloche: Snow Day at Piedras Blancas Winter Park+Transfer: $180
- Sledge Experience at Piedras Blancas Snow Resort with Transfers: $178
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $175
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $175
- Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $175
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Pampa Linda: $175
- Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $163
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $146
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $146
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $146
- BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Mar del 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 dayMar del Plata $6.92San Carlos de Bariloche $6.16
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: Snow Adventure and 4-Course Dinner: $425
- Bariloche: Snowmobile Ride with 4-Course Dinner: $425
- Bariloche: Evening Snowmobile Ride with Dinner at La Cueva Catedral: $428
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $21San Carlos de Bariloche $33
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: $245
- Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $232
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $150
- Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes: $90
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $7.81San Carlos de Bariloche $8.83
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
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $99
- Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 San Carlos de Bariloche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Carlos de Bariloche than you might in Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata 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.