Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Buzios Prices
Brazil PricesSan Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $91San Carlos de Bariloche $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $91, while the average daily cost in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86. 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 Buzios and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $36San Carlos de Bariloche $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $72San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Buzios and San Carlos de Bariloche
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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: San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $18San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $45
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
- Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $73
- Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $91
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $115
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $115
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $118
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $118
- Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $134
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Private Transfer from Bariloche Airport to Villa La Angostura: $271
- Private Transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $200
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa Traful: $180
- Private Transfer from Hotel Tronador to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $179
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Hotel Tronador: $179
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Cascada Los Alerces: $179
- Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $167
- Adventure in Piedras Blancas: Sledding Day with Transfers : $150
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Correntoso: $150
- Private Transfer Bariloche or Villa La Angostura to Bariloche Airport by Minibus: $149
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Villa La Angostura: $149
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Ruca Malen: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?
Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $40San Carlos de Bariloche $6.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Carlos de Bariloche
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Carlos de Bariloche.
- Bariloche: Snowmobile ride with dinner 4 steps: $537
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $25San Carlos de Bariloche $33
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $11
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $19
- Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $26
- Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $27
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $31
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $31
- Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
- Underwater Adventure in Diving and Snorkeling: $46
- Schooner Tour in Buzios - Departure from Buzios: $51
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-Day Bariloche Experience with Optional Airfare: $430
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of the Small Circuit: $90
- Adventure to Cerro Tronador and Black Ventisquero from Bariloche: $140
- Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
- Bariloche Craft Beer Sensory Experience: $285
- Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour: $204
- Bariloche San Martin de los Andes and Seven Lakes Road Tour: $135
- Bariloche Tour Route of the 7 Lakes to San Martin de los Andes : $80
- Bariloche: Beer Tour through 3 breweries: $240
- Bariloche: Boat Tour to Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest: $120
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $17San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76
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: $95
- Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $110
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $125
- Bariloche: Bar Crawl. Patagonian Bar Crawl: $160
When comparing the travel costs between Buzios and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or San Carlos de Bariloche?
San Carlos de Bariloche has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.