Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno). 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
-
San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $86Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $70. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $70Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $140Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche: BRC Airport to City Centre|Hotel Private Transfer: $14
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
- Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Shared Transfer Airport Bariloche Downtown : $25
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $39
- Private Transfer from Downtown Bariloche to the Airport: $43
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer Bariloche Center Cerro Catedral or vice versa: $48
- Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
-
Taxi$0.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
- Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
- Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $6.11Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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: $537
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
-
Tamales$1.58
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $33Lake Titicaca (Puno) $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:
- Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
- Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $41
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
- Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $55
- Cerro Lopez Zipline Adventure from Bariloche: $56
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- Canopy Half-Day Tour in Bariloche: $60
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $10
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $13
- Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
- Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $15
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
- Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
- Uros and Taquile Islands From Puno Full Day Tour with Lunch: $30
- Tour Uros and Taquile Islands in Speedboat (full day): $31
- Puno City Tour: $31
- Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $8.76Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
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
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $125
- Bariloche: Bar Crawl. Patagonian Bar Crawl: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno).
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.