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

Should you visit Tilcara 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 Tilcara and San Carlos de Bariloche can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tilcara or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Tilcara

Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Tilcara?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $8.37, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $7.52. 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 Tilcara and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tilcara $3.30
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tilcara $6.60
    San Carlos de Bariloche $5.44
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Tilcara 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 Tilcara


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: Tilcara Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tilcara $2.23
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tilcara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tilcara:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

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: $239
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Pampa Linda: $166
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $165
  • Private Transfer from Cascada Los Alerces to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $165
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $165
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $147
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $138
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $138
  • Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $138
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $106

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

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Tilcara 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
    Tilcara $3.46
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.83
Typical Food Prices in Tilcara

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:


  • Sandwich
    $0.01
  • Burger
    $0.01
  • Fruit
    $0.01
  • Sandwich
    $0.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara

For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70

Typical Food Prices in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:


  • Pastries
    $0.01
  • Empanadas
    $0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tilcara $1.98
    San Carlos de Bariloche $3.10

Tours and Activities in Tilcara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.

  • Purmamarca Night Experience: $18
  • 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
  • Serranías del Hornocal + Citytour Humahuaca: $30
  • Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $35
  • Half day mountain bike tour with lunch: $35
  • Private Full Day Tour to Salinas de Grandes and Barrancas: $130
  • Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $162

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: $60
  • Bariloche Circuito Grande Sightseeing Tour: $118
  • Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $115
  • Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $130
  • Bariloche Sightseeing Tour: $42
  • Bariloche: 4-Hour Cerro Catedral Base Tour: $15
  • Bariloche: Blest Port and Cantaros Waterfall Tour : $158
  • Bariloche: Full-Day El Bolsón and Puelo Lake Tour: $42
  • Bariloche: Half Day Small Circuit Tour - Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $28
  • From Bariloche: Chico Circuit & Colonia Suiza Tour: $20
  • From Bariloche: Victoria Island & the Arrayanes Forest Tour: $128
  • From Rio Manso Rafting Tour: $185

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tilcara $1.08
    San Carlos de Bariloche $1.86

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:


  • Beer
    $0.01


When comparing the travel costs between Tilcara and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Tilcara or San Carlos de Bariloche?

San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara 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.