Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca or San Carlos de Bariloche?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Humahuaca?
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 Humahuaca. 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 Humahuaca?
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.
Humahuaca
Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.
-
San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina PricesHumahuaca Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $109Humahuaca $71
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $109, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca is $71. 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 Humahuaca in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $89Humahuaca $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $178Humahuaca $110
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Humahuaca
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Humahuaca? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $3.51Humahuaca $4.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Villa La Angostura: $271
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Pampa Linda: $172
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $172
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $172
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $172
- Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $161
- Private Transfer Bariloche Airport to Bariloche or Villa La Angostura by minibus: $149
- BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $143
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $143
- Private Transfer Bariloche or Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport BRC by van: $124
- Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Cerro Catedral: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca
Also for Humahuaca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or Humahuaca?
Prices for flights to both Humahuaca 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 daySan Carlos de Bariloche $7.75Humahuaca $6.11
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: Snowmobile ride with dinner 4 steps: $430
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $42Humahuaca $31
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:
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
- Adventure to Cerro Tronador and Black Ventisquero from Bariloche: $130
- Bariloche Craft Beer Sensory Experience: $285
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $232
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $136
- Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes : $80
- Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $26
- Bariloche: Beer Tour through 3 breweries: $175
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
- Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Glacier Tour: $91
- Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Tour: $113
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Humahuaca
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.
- Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $64
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $11Humahuaca $7.25
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: $80
- Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Humahuaca, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Humahuaca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Humahuaca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca.
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 Humahuaca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Humahuaca?
San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Humahuaca. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Humahuaca, 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.