Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or San Carlos de Bariloche, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, 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 daySao Paulo $52San Carlos de Bariloche $7.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, 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 Sao Paulo and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30San Carlos de Bariloche $2.68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60San Carlos de Bariloche $5.36
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90San Carlos de Bariloche $2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $31
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $35
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $43
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Centro to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Paraíso to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Jardins to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Vila Mariana to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Liberdade to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from CGH to any point of the city of São Paulo: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Transfers to and from San Martín de los Andes: $295
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to San Martín de los Andes: $235
- Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $181
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $163
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $163
- Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $163
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $136
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $136
- Transfers to and from Villa La Angostura: $134
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Confluencia Traful: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15San Carlos de Bariloche $2.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
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.Sao Paulo $4.05San Carlos de Bariloche $3.05
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
- Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour: $85
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $88
- São Paulo: Palmeiras Game Experience with Local: $95
- Bike Tour: The Coolest Urban Scenes of Sao Paulo: $99
- Walking Tour along Paulista Avenue – The most Famous Avenue in Brazil: $100
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 daySao Paulo $3.52San Carlos de Bariloche $1.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $176
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 Sao Paulo and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo 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.