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

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

Salvador

Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $45, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.52. 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 Salvador and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $25
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $50
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.44
Compare Hotels in Salvador and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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 Salvador


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $24
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $25
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $25
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $25
  • Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $25
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $25
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $30
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $30
  • Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $106
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $36
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $55
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $36
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $9.00
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
  • Cerro Catedral to Bariloche Airport (BRC) - Departure Transfer: $28
  • One Way Transfer from Bariloche Airport to or from Llao Llao: $60
  • Private Transfer Bariloche or Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport BRC by van: $69
  • Private Transfer from Bahía López to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $74
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Bahia López: $74

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Salvador 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
    Salvador $13
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.83
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $104
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $156
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

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.
    Salvador $5.80
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.10

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $8.02
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $23
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $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:

  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
  • From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $20
  • Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
  • German Footprint Tour: $29
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $29
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
  • Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $39
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $42
  • Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • Half-Day Tour to Circuito Chico and Cerro Catedral with Transportation: $60
  • Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.51
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.40
  • Drinks
    $2.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:

  • Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $72

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 Salvador and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Salvador 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 Salvador would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salvador 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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