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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Oaxaca de Juarez

Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Oaxaca de Juarez?

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

  • Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54
    San Carlos de Bariloche $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $85. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez


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: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $7.89
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel in Oaxaca to the Oaxaca Airport: $14
  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $20
  • Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Transfer Oaxaca Centro Boerve del Agua: $30
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $58
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $58

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: $277
  • Bariloche: Snow Day at Piedras Blancas Winter Park+Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $175
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $175
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $163
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $146
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $146
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $146
  • BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $145
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Llao Llao to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $141
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to LLao LLao: $130

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Oaxaca de Juarez 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
    Oaxaca de Juarez $24
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
  • Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $35
  • Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
  • Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
  • Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
  • FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
  • Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $69
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $70
  • Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.

  • Oaxaca Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.81
  • Oaxaca City Tour: History, Markets, and Local Flavors: $7.60
  • Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $8.71
  • Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca: Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $15
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $21
  • Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $21
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
  • Monte Alban Only - Half Day Guided Tour - Oaxaca: $23
  • Bike Adventure to the World's Widest Tree: $25

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: $298
  • Bariloche Flavours Tasting Walking Tour: $95
  • Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $215
  • Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes: $110
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.70

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
  • Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
  • Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
  • Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
  • Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
  • Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
  • Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $70
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $140
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village: $150

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 Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez 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.