A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina San Carlos de Bariloche vs. Puerto Madryn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Puerto Madryn?

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 Puerto Madryn. 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 Puerto Madryn?

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn 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.

  • San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Puerto Madryn Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $121
    Puerto Madryn $85

The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $121, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $85. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Carlos de Bariloche $99
    Puerto Madryn $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Carlos de Bariloche $198
    Puerto Madryn $114
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn


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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.89
    Puerto Madryn $3.55

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: $16
  • Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Shuttle Transfer: $25
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $26
  • BRC Airport Private Transfer to Bariloche City Center: $30
  • Bariloche: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $35
  • Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Playa Bonita: $45
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Puerto Madryn Airport PMY Private Transfer to Puerto Madryn City: $33
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $54
  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $128
  • View of the whales: transfer to El Doradillo beach: $150
  • Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $226

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

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 $8.57
    Puerto Madryn $11

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $46
    Puerto Madryn $63

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:

  • Discovering Cerro Catedral: A Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $25
  • Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $39
  • Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $39
  • German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $39
  • Half Day Small Circuit Tour in San Carlos de Bariloche: $45
  • Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $50
  • El Bolson and Lago Puelo Sightseeing Tour: $60
  • Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • Journey through Bariloche: Circuito Grande Experience: $63
  • Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Glacier Tour: $77

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

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

  • Cruise Shore Sea Lions Experience Punta Loma and city overview: $50
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • Punta Loma & City Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
  • Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $70
  • Shore Tour Punta Loma with craft beer tasting: $70
  • Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $80
  • Shore Excursion: Punta Loma with City Tour Puerto Madryn: $86
  • From City and Punta Loma Tour: $86
  • Shore Excursion Punta Cuevas Bike & Adventure - Puerto Madryn: $90
  • Punta Cuevas Bike Tour for Cruise Passengers: $90
  • walking tour along beaches and canyons: $90
  • City Tour, Trekking, Marine Fauna and Argentinean Empanadas: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $12
    Puerto Madryn $17

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
  • Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $86
  • Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Madryn, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.

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 Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Puerto Madryn?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Madryn, 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.