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.
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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.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesSan Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258San Carlos de Bariloche $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $84. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101San Carlos de Bariloche $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202San Carlos de Bariloche $136
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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15San Carlos de Bariloche $2.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- RIU Montego Bay or S Hotel Airport & Hotel Transfer: $8.80
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfers to any Montego Bay Hotels: $10
- Private Airport Transfers from Montego Bay: $10
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Mobay, RIU Reggae & RIU Palace: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $14
- Shared One Way Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Hotel: $15
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
- Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $19
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $20
- Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $28
- Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $35
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $38
- Private Transfer between Bariloche Airport and Centre: $40
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $48
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Playa Bonita: $48
- Bariloche Airport Round-Trip Shared Shuttle Transfer: $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
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Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $141San Carlos de Bariloche $5.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay City and Food Tour All Inclusive Experience: $48
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Sunset Cruise, Dinner & Glowing Waters Swim: $95
- Bar Hopping & Local Food Tour-From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Dinner and Nightlife -From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
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: Snowmobile Ride with 4-Course Dinner: $425
- Bariloche: Snow Adventure and 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.Montego Bay $31San Carlos de Bariloche $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.67
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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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:
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
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:
- Podcast Tour The Hidden Indigenous Heart: $6.83
- Cerro Catedral The Unmissable Experience of Bariloche: $30
- Bariloche: Play Soccer With Locals – Recreational Soccer Experience: $30
- Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $36
- Adventure motorcycle and snow on Otto Hill: $39
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, Iconic Views of Bariloche in One Tour: $40
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
- Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico Bike Rental Adventure: $42
- Bariloche: Guided Tour of Cerro Catedral: $43
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico with Tour Guide: $56
- Bariloche Chocolate Sightseeing Tour: Patagonian Flavors Walking Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13San Carlos de Bariloche $8.50
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:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $250
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
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $122
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.
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.