Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
Which city is cheaper, Mendoza 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 $52, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $52. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $38 for a double occupancy room in San Carlos de Bariloche.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Mendoza, $40 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Mendoza, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $20, such as in a hostel.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
San Carlos de Bariloche $19
Mendoza $20
-
Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
San Carlos de Bariloche
$38
Mendoza
$40
Food
The average traveler spends about $20 per day in San Carlos de Bariloche for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
While meal prices in Mendoza can vary, the average travelers spends about $23 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Mendoza should cost around $9.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mendoza is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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
$0.12
-
Empanadas
$0.28
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.
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Night hiking in the woods with headlamps & Candlelit dinner:
$70
-
Half-Day Bariloche Highlights with Cooking Class & Beer Tasting -Private Service:
$274
Typical Food prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Gourmet Dinner at Espacio Trapiche:
$54
-
Cooking class experience at a Mendoza winery:
$145
-
Asado cooking class and dinner in Mendoza city.:
$168
-
Winery dinner. Enjoy the best restaurant in a winery:
$252
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around San Carlos de Bariloche is $16 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Mendoza's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $10 per person, per day on transportation in Mendoza.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
San Carlos de Bariloche $16
Mendoza $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Bariloche Hotels to Cerro Catedral Ski Resort:
$38
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport:
$26
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Bariloche Airport to Hotel:
$15
-
San Carlos de Bariloche Airport Roundtrip Transfer:
$48
-
Private transfer: Bariloche Airport (BRC) to San Carlos de Bariloche:
$149
-
Private Transfer: San Carlos de Bariloche to Bariloche Airport (BRC):
$133
-
Private Transfer from Tom Wesley to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$62
-
Private Transfer from Puerto Pañuelo to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$52
-
Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$52
-
Private Transfer from Hotel Llao Llao to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport:
$52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$11
-
Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel:
$13
-
Private Airport Transfer: El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza:
$22
-
Private Airport Transfer: Mendoza to El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ):
$22
-
One Way Transfer - Mendoza Airport to/from Mendoza City:
$25
-
Private Transfer in Mendoza:
$29
-
Mendoza Airport Arrival Transfer:
$55
-
Premium Spa Day & Fango Therapy at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Lunch and Transfers:
$93
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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.
Entertainment
San Carlos de Bariloche's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $22 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Mendoza can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
San Carlos de Bariloche $22
Mendoza $15
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:
-
"Brazo Tristeza" Lake Experience - Shared Service:
$158
-
1.5-Hour Lago Gutierrez Paddle Boarding Tour from Bariloche:
$80
-
4-Day Bariloche & Lake district Classic Tour:
$659
-
4-day Bariloche Adventure - Trekking Cerro Llao Llao & Kayaking Lago Mascardi:
$903
-
5-Day Adventure Trip in Bariloche:
$995
-
6-Days Unique Experience Lake Crossing & Mountains Region!:
$1,150
-
7-Day Bariloche & Mendoza Adventure: Trekking, Kayaking, Horseback riding & Wine:
$1,326
-
Bariloche 3 tours Classic package:
$250
-
Bariloche 3 tours with adrenaline:
$280
-
Bariloche 3 tours with adventure:
$290
-
Bariloche Circuito Grande Sightseeing Tour:
$96
-
Bariloche Civic Center Walking Tour:
$5.00
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Half Day Mendoza City Sightseeing Tour:
$15
-
Mendoza City Tour:
$15
-
FOLLOW MENDOZA, Walking City & Park tour:
$20
-
Villavicencio Natural Reserve Half-Day Tour from Mendoza:
$23
-
Mendoza City & General San Martin Park 2.5-Hour Tour:
$28
-
Mendoza Half-Day Sightseeing Tour:
$29
-
City Tour of Mendoza with Cerro de la Gloria:
$32
-
From High Andes Aconcagua Mountain Tour:
$32
-
Mendoza walking tour. Visit Mendoza city:
$35
-
Wineries tour in Mendoza with La Carrodilla Church:
$36
-
Full Day High Mountain Tour from Mendoza:
$39
-
From San Rafael Sightseeing and Atuel Canyon Tour:
$39
Alcohol
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in San Carlos de Bariloche per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Mendoza spend on average $8.79 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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:
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:
-
City Tour, Nature Hiking & visit to a Local Microbrewery in Bariloche:
$281
Typical Alcohol prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
-
Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza:
$21
-
Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch:
$80
-
Sunday Wine Tasting Tour and Argentinien BBQ:
$80
-
Bike wine tour. Visit 2 of the best wineries:
$81
-
Private Uco Valley Tour including Lunch and Wine Tasting from Mendoza:
$95
-
Private Lujan Wine Tour with Gourmet Wine-Paired Lunch from Mendoza:
$100
-
Mendoza 4-Day Sightseeing and Wine Tour:
$103
-
Half day wine tour. Visit 2 wineries in Lujan de Cuyo:
$103
-
Private Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour from Mendoza:
$136
-
Deluxe Mendoza Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
-
Bike wine tours. Visit 3 wineries and enjoy gourmet lunch:
$153
-
Luján de Cuyo best Wines- Ultimate Wine Tour:
$154
When comparing the travel costs between San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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