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

Should you visit San Miguel de Tucuman or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between San Miguel de Tucuman and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: San Miguel de Tucuman or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Miguel de Tucuman

The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or San Miguel de Tucuman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • San Miguel de Tucuman Prices
    Argentina Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Miguel de Tucuman $71
    San Carlos de Bariloche $121

The average daily cost (per person) in San Miguel de Tucuman is $71, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $121. 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 Miguel de Tucuman and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Miguel de Tucuman $53
    San Carlos de Bariloche $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Miguel de Tucuman $106
    San Carlos de Bariloche $198
Compare Hotels in San Miguel de Tucuman and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in San Miguel de Tucuman or San Carlos de Bariloche? 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 Miguel de Tucuman


Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche


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 Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Miguel de Tucuman $3.34
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:

  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $26
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche Center: $47
  • Private Transfer from Villa Mascardi to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $72
  • Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Llao Llao to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $72
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Downtown Bariloche to the Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche City to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $66
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $134
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tom Wesley : $53
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $35
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $134

Is it cheaper to fly into San Miguel de Tucuman or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and San Miguel de Tucuman 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 Miguel de Tucuman $7.53
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Miguel de Tucuman $36
    San Carlos de Bariloche $46

Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman

For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
  • Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $70
  • Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $111
  • Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $111

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:

  • 2-Days Experience Bariloche with Airfare from Buenos Aires: $1,690
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $60
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $193
  • Bariloche: Beer Tour through 3 breweries: $181
  • Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Glacier Tour: $77
  • Bariloche: Cerro Tronador and Ventisquero Negro Tour: $113
  • Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $78
  • Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $39
  • Bariloche: Guided tour of the Grand Circuit (Villa La Angostura and Villa Traful): $94
  • Bariloche: Lavender Farm Guided Tour with Tea Service: $130
  • Bariloche: Mt Tronador and Hanging Glaciers Full-Day Tour: $120
  • Bariloche: Piedras Blancas tour, cable car and sled ride: $168

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Miguel de Tucuman $11
    San Carlos de Bariloche $12

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 Miguel de Tucuman and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is San Miguel de Tucuman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Miguel de Tucuman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Miguel de Tucuman 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 San Miguel de Tucuman.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Miguel de Tucuman or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Miguel de Tucuman has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Miguel de Tucuman and San Carlos de Bariloche, 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.