A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Curitiba vs. San Carlos de Bariloche for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Curitiba 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 Curitiba 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: Curitiba or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Curitiba

Curitiba is a relatively large city that is convenient to visit if you're traveling to Iguazu Falls from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. It is worth a day or two stop over because it has a great old city that has been restored. It's also the capital of Parana, Brazil. Curitiba is one of the more wealthy cities in the southern region of Brazil. It has a diverse population with many immigrants and some interesting cultural events.

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 Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


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

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

  • Curitiba Prices
    Brazil Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Curitiba $90
    San Carlos de Bariloche $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $90, 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 Curitiba and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Curitiba $29
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $58
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Curitiba 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 Curitiba


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

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Curitiba $15
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba

Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Curitiba Airport CWB to Curitiba hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $38
  • Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $40
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
  • Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $106
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $109
  • Afonso Pena Airport (CWB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $212
  • Private Transfer from Porto Belo Port to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $265

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 Curitiba or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Curitiba 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
    Curitiba $47
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.11
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba

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


  • Chips
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Curitiba

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

  • Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba: $36
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $95

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Curitiba $19
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33

Tours and Activities in Curitiba

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

  • Ticket MAI - Museum of Indigenous Art - Curitiba: $6.25
  • Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $39
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Experience the Best of City Tour Highlights: $59
  • Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $62
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $72
  • 4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba: $73
  • Full-day tour in Curitiba: $78
  • Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $81
  • 8h full city tour in Curitiba: $94
  • Piece of Holland Full-Day Tour in the Interior of Paraná: $142
  • Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel: $157

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $13
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:


  • Beer
    $0.42

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 Curitiba and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that Curitiba 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 Curitiba Expensive? and Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Curitiba or San Carlos de Bariloche?

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