Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesSan Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $53San Carlos de Bariloche $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $53, 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 Salvador and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24San Carlos de Bariloche $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48San Carlos de Bariloche $138
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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $5.99San Carlos de Bariloche $2.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Airport (SSA): $17
- Private Transfer to Salvador de Bahia Airport (SSA): $17
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $17
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
- Salvador Airport Transfer to Salvador City Hotels: $26
- Shared Transfer - North Coast: $26
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $29
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia airport (SSA): $33
- Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $36
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $36
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
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 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
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Food Meals for one daySalvador $22San Carlos de Bariloche $6.02
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Eat and drink before you fly: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- Enjoy before flying: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- 4h Cooking Class in Salvador with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $65
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $65
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Traditional Moqueca Cooking Class: $75
- Savour Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $75
- Bahia Bites Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $79
- Bahia Bites Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $80
- Brazilian Cooking Class with Unlimited Caipirinhas: $89
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $105
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Show and Dinner: $124
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.65San Carlos de Bariloche $32
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.97
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- Authentic Bars Tour in Santo Antônio Beyond the Carmo!: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $24
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
- Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $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: 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.36San Carlos de Bariloche $8.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.36
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Drinks$2.72
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.
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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.