Which place is cheaper, Mendoza 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.
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Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza?
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 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza?
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.
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 Photography Tours in Argentina.
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San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $86Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $70Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $140Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $2.75Mendoza $4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $35
- Shared Transfer Airport Bariloche Downtown: $25
- Shared One Way Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Hotel: $15
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche Center: $75
- Private Transfer from Tom Wesley to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $59
- Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $49
- Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $49
- Private Transfer from Hotel Llao Llao to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $142
- Private Transfer from El Casco Art Hotel to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $59
- Private Transfer from Downtown Bariloche to the Airport: $72
- Private Transfer from Camping los Rápidos to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $11
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) Private Transfer to Mendoza City: $18
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer in Mendoza I Personal Driver: $30
- Mendoza to Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ)- Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $38
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $38
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $6.07Mendoza $5.81
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: TRE Experience – “Three-Course Dinner. Catena Zapata”: $135
- Bariloche: El Mallín. Dinner with Tango Show: $185
- Bariloche: Winter Night – Evening Activities in the Snow with Dinner and Show: $275
- Bariloche Nordic Night: Quad Bike Ride and Dinner on Cerro Otto: $410
- Bariloche: Snowmobile Ride with 4-Course Dinner: $425
- Bariloche: Snow Adventure and 4-Course Dinner: $425
- Bariloche: Evening Snowmobile Ride with Dinner at La Cueva Catedral: $428
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $91
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $99
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $195
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $33Mendoza $23
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: $90
- Bariloche : Adventure to Cerro Tronador and Glacier Black Blizzard: $140
- Bariloche Chocolate Sightseeing Tour: Patagonian Flavors Walking Tour: $60
- Bariloche Flavours Tasting Walking Tour: $95
- Bariloche Football Experience with Locals & Traditional BBQ: $60
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $215
- Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes: $110
- Bariloche: Andean Region Tour to El Bolsón & Lago Puelo: $70
- Bariloche: Beer Experience 'Discover the World of Craft Beer': $150
- Bariloche: Boat Tour to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest: $140
- Bariloche: Brazo Tristeza Boat Tour and Forest Hike: $82
- Bariloche: Canopy Tour on Cerro Lopez: $90
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Center Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $20
- Mendoza City: Immigrant Sightseeing Tour – Squares, Museums, Artisans, Casino, Theater: $22
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Luján de Cuyo Wine Region Self-Guided Bike Tour: $23
- Self-Guided Bike Tour in Luján de Cuyo Wine Region (Mendoza): $23
- Standard City Tour: $23
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $24
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Quarter plus Mendoza-Style Snack: $25
- City Tour: $25
- City Highlights Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $8.71Mendoza $5.90
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Malbec Across Argentina: Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $69
- Argentina’s 100-Point Wines: Exclusive Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
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 Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Mendoza, 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.