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

Should you visit Negril or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril and San Carlos de Bariloche. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Negril or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Negril

Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!

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 Negril?

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

  • Negril Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $150
    San Carlos de Bariloche $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86. 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 Negril and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Negril and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Negril 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 Negril


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: Negril Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:


  • Taxi From Airport
    $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
  • Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer 1 Way: $23
  • Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • MBJ Airport Private transfers to any Hotels in Negril: $29
  • Grand Palladium Jamaica Private Transfers : $29
  • Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $30
  • MBJ Airport Private Transfers to any Negril Hotels: $35
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer : $40
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Villa La Angostura: $271
  • Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $200
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $180
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $179
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $179
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $179
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $167
  • Adventure in Piedras Blancas: Sledding Day with Transfers : $150
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $150
  • Private Transfer Bariloche or Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport by Minibus: $149
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $149
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $149

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Negril 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
    Negril $38
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril

For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner in the Sky Jamaica Round Trip Taxi & Guide only: $42
  • The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $80
  • Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
  • Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150
  • Local food tour and local fields : $164

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.
    Negril $26
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $42

Tours and Activities in Negril

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.

  • Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $56
  • Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
  • Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
  • Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise : $60
  • Private Negril Beach Experience and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $60
  • Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
  • Negril Country Side Tour & Rick's Cafe : $82
  • Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
  • PARTY Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling Rick's Cafe ADULTS ONLY: $88
  • NEGRIL CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe Adults only ALL HOTELS : $89
  • Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise and Snorkelling: $90
  • Family Catamaran Cruise from Jamwest Beach Negril Hotels: $90

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:

  • 2-Day Bariloche Experience with Optional Airfare: $430
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $90
  • Adventure to Cerro Tronador and Black Ventisquero from Bariloche: $140
  • Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
  • Bariloche Craft Beer Sensory Experience: $285
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $204
  • Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $135
  • Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes : $80
  • Bariloche: Beer Tour through 3 breweries: $240
  • Bariloche: Boat Tour to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest: $120
  • Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
  • Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Negril

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

  • Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl: $26

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: $125
  • Bariloche: Bar Crawl. Patagonian Bar Crawl: $160


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril 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 Negril Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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.