Which place is cheaper, Copacabana or San Carlos de Bariloche?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Copacabana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Carlos de Bariloche and Copacabana. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Carlos de Bariloche or Copacabana?
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.
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $7.40Copacabana $42
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $42. 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 San Carlos de Bariloche and Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $2.68Copacabana $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $5.36Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Copacabana? 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: San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices and Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28Copacabana $14
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 BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $55
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
- 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 Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Bahia López: $73
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to El Casco Art Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Catedral: $46
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $164
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana and San Carlos de Bariloche 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 daySan Carlos de Bariloche $2.78Copacabana $17
Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
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Pastries$0.01
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Empanadas$0.03
Typical Food Prices in Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
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Lunch$3.61
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Sandwich$1.16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05Copacabana $19
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
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
- 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
- From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $39
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
- Half-Day Tour to Circuito Chico and Cerro Catedral with Transportation: $56
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- President Peron in Bariloche - Historic Tour: $60
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12
- From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
- Full day tour of Copacabana and Sun Island: $90
- Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz: $100
- Titicaca Lake & Isla del Sol Catamaran Tour: $293
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $1.83Copacabana $12
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:
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Beer$0.01
Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
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Wine$2.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Copacabana, we can see that Copacabana 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 Copacabana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copacabana 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 San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive? and Is Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Copacabana?
San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Copacabana, 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.