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

Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Cusco?

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 Cusco. 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 Cusco?

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.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.52, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $51. 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 Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.72
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.44
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Cusco? 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 San Carlos de Bariloche


Hotels in Cusco


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 Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.32
    Cusco $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

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

  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $9.00
  • Private transfer Bariloche Airpot- Hotels: $13
  • Transfers in Bariloche: $22
  • Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $26
  • Shared Transfer One Way - Bariloche Airport to Hotel or v.v.: $26
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $26
  • Cerro Catedral to Bariloche Airport (BRC) - Departure Transfer: $28
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $36
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $36
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Catedral: $46

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $6.12
  • Cusco Airport Transfers: $8.00
  • One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to Velasco Astete Airport: $9.00
  • One-Way Airport Transfer to Hotel: $9.50
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.67
  • Private Transfer From the Airport to your Hotel in Cuzco: $9.68
  • Private Shuttle Transfer from Cusco Airport (CUZ) to Hotels in Cusco: $9.90
  • Transfer Hotel to Airport in Cusco | Private Service |: $10
  • Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $10
  • Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
  • Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12

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

Prices for flights to both Cusco 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.83
    Cusco $13
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

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.18
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

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

  • Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
  • Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
  • CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $50
  • Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
  • Vegetarian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour in Cusco: $58
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience & Pisco Tasting in Cusco : $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $63
  • Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
  • Awamaki Cooking Class: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.10
    Cusco $29

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.72

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

  • Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
  • Experience Walking Tour in the city of Cusco with a Local Guide: $8.00
  • Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
  • Combined city tour cusco: $10
  • Cusco City Tour: $10
  • Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
  • City Tour Cusco: $10
  • City tours Cusco: $10
  • extreme adventure in cusco warachicuy adventure park: $11
  • City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
  • Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
  • Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.86
    Cusco $9.58
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cusco Pub Crawl - Bar Tour Cusco : $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Cusco, we can see that Cusco 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 Cusco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cusco 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 Cusco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Cusco?

Cusco has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Cusco, 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.