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

Should you visit Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Piriapolis?

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

  • Piriapolis Prices
    Uruguay Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Piriapolis $80
    San Carlos de Bariloche $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $80, 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 Piriapolis and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $26
    San Carlos de Bariloche $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $52
    San Carlos de Bariloche $138
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $30
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Airport Transfer - Llao Llao Hotel: $98
  • BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $73
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $29
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $166
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $73
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $50
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
  • Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $14
  • Bariloche: BRC Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $19
  • Bariloche: Snow Day at Piedras Blancas Winter Park+Transfer: $180

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $38
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.02

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.
    Piriapolis $5.64
    San Carlos de Bariloche $32

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: Play Soccer With Locals – Recreational Soccer Experience: $30
  • Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $39
  • Bariloche: Circuito Chico, Iconic Views of Bariloche in One Tour: $40
  • Adventure motorcycle and snow on Otto Hill: $41
  • 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
  • Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
  • Bariloche: Lake Gutierrez Guided Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $7.77
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.63

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


When comparing the travel costs between Piriapolis and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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