Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Santa Marta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Marta or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Santa Marta and San Carlos de Bariloche can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Santa Marta or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
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 Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Marta $32San Carlos de Bariloche $7.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.40. 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 Santa Marta and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Marta $14San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Marta $28San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta 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.
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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Marta $5.27San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
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Gas$5.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport (One Way): $12
- Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $14
- Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $14
- Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $14
- Transfer in private minivan from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $21
- Private Airport Transfer: From Santa Marta Airport to Hotel in Santa Marta: $25
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport: $28
- Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Santa Marta Airport(SMR) to City: $28
- Transfers SANTA MARTA AIRPORT TO HOTEL IN SANTA MARTA: $31
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $31
- Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Transfers to and from Villa La Angostura: $134
- Transfers to and from San Martín de los Andes: $295
- Transfers in Bariloche: $22
- Transfer from the Airport to Bariloche: $26
- Shared Transfer One Way - Bariloche Airport to Hotel or v.v.: $26
- Private transfer Bariloche Airpot- Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Puerto Pañuelo to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $182
- Private Transfer from Lago Moreno to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Hotel Catedral to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from El Casco Art Hotel to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Santa Marta 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 daySanta Marta $10San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$3.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $77
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$0.01
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Empanadas$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Marta $14San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town, Harbour & Highlights Self-guided Tour: $6.28
- Skip the Line: Santa Marta Marine World Aquarium Admission Ticket and Guide: $6.67
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Botanical Garden: $10
- Musical Experience "Live Musicaribe": $11
- Cultural Heritage Tour Santa Marta: $16
- Full Day Tour to Bahía Concha and Tayrona Park with Pickup: $25
- Horse Riding at La Mello Adventure Lodge: $35
- Guided Walking Food Experience: $38
- Santa Marta Food Experience: $39
- Sunset Cruise Around the Bay: $41
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:
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $197
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $130
- Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
- Bariloche: Blest Port and Cantaros Waterfall Tour : $170
- Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
- Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
- Bariloche: Private Enchanted Valley Tour with Lunch: $495
- Classic Bariloche: Half-Day Sightseeing Excursion: $26
- From Bariloche: Half-Day Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour: $38
- From Bariloche: Victoria Island & the Arrayanes Forest Tour: $128
- From Rio Manso Rafting Tour: $185
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Marta $6.71San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
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Beer$0.58
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Beer$2.36
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:
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Santa Marta is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Carlos de Bariloche would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Carlos de Bariloche 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 Santa Marta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Marta than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Marta Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Santa Marta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta 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.
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.