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

Should you visit Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay 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: Montego Bay or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Montego Bay

As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.

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 Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Montego Bay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $260
    San Carlos de Bariloche $90

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $260, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $90. 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 Montego Bay and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    San Carlos de Bariloche $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    San Carlos de Bariloche $148
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay


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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
  • Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $10
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning: $10
  • Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
  • Mbj Airport Transfers to any Montego Bay Hotels: $10
  • S Hotel Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $12
  • Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
  • Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
  • Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Bariloche: BRC Airport to City Centre|Hotel Private Transfer: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $15
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer between Bariloche Airport and Centre: $33
  • Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $35
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $39
  • Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Playa Bonita: $50
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $50

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Montego Bay 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
    Montego Bay $142
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.

  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
  • Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210

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: Snowmobile ride with dinner 4 steps: $537

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $32
    San Carlos de Bariloche $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    $2.69
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $38
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    $43

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
  • Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
  • Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
  • Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
  • Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
  • Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
  • Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
  • Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
  • Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
  • Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
  • Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
  • Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35

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: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
  • Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
  • Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $38
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
  • Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $41
  • Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
  • Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
  • Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $55
  • Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $60
  • Canopy Half-Day Tour in Bariloche: $60
  • Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    San Carlos de Bariloche $9.17

Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay

Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255

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
  • Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $110
  • Bariloche: Bar Crawl. Patagonian Bar Crawl: $160


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and San Carlos de Bariloche is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay 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.