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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or San Carlos de Bariloche, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ocho Rios or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.

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 Ocho Rios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, 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 Ocho Rios and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios


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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Ian Fleming Ocho Rios Airport Private Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotel: $15
  • Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay 2-Hour Shopping Transfer: $15
  • Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
  • AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • Relaxing Montego Bay To Ducanon and Juwel Runaway Bay Transfer: $27
  • Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
  • Private Airport transfer from Montego Bay To Ocho Rios .: $30
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runnaway Bay Hotels(Private) : $32
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Ocho Rios : $33

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 Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $182
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $164
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $164
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $164
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $163
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $136
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $136
  • Transfers to and from Villa La Angostura: $134

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Ocho Rios 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
    Ocho Rios $17
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios

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

  • From Flavors of Jamaica Guided Food Tour: $89
  • Taste of Jamaica Farm & Food Tour: $98
  • Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $104
  • Ocho Ros: Hillside Cooking Class, Jamaican Style: $130
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour: $140
  • The Jamaica School of Cooking and Ocho Rios Highlights Tour: $141
  • Ocho Rios Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $218

Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:


  • Pastries
    $0.01
  • Empanadas
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios

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


  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    $11
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    $5.47
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $18

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

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

  • Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
  • Private Blue Hole and Shopping Tour from Ocho Rios: $30
  • Private Blue hole Tour from Ocho Rios : $40
  • Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
  • Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
  • Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
  • Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
  • Private Konoko Falls and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $45
  • Half-Day Blue Hole and Secret Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $46
  • Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
  • Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50

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: $60
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $110
  • Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $130
  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
  • Bariloche: Blest Port and Cantaros Waterfall Tour : $170
  • 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: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83

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:


  • Beer
    $0.01


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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios 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.