Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63San Carlos de Bariloche $7.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40. 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 Montevideo and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo City - Montevideo Airport (MVD): $21
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Transfers to and from San Martín de los Andes: $295
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to San Martín de los Andes: $237
- Transfers to and from El Bolsón: $196
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $164
- Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $164
- Transfers to and from Villa La Angostura: $134
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Private Transfer from Camping los Rápidos to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $91
- Visit to Piedras Blancas Bariloche with transfers: $85
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Bahia López: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Montevideo 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 dayMontevideo $13San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
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$0.01
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Empanadas$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- City Sightseeing Tour: $32
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $33
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $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:
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $197
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $130
- Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
- Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
- Bariloche: Private Enchanted Valley Tour with Lunch: $495
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
- From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
- From Bariloche: Victoria Island & the Arrayanes Forest Tour: $128
- From Rio Manso Rafting Tour: $185
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
- German Footprint Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
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$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Montevideo 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo 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 Montevideo Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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.