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

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez 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: Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Oaxaca de Juarez

Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Carlos de Bariloche or Oaxaca de Juarez?

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

  • Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Oaxaca de Juarez $51
    San Carlos de Bariloche $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $51, 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Oaxaca de Juarez $18
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Oaxaca de Juarez $36
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche

Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez


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: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices and San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Taxi Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $20
  • Private Transfer to Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $22
  • Transfer Hotel to Oaxaca Airport private service: $26
  • Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $27
  • From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $30
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Airport(OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $34
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Oaxaca Airport (OAX) : $43
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Oaxaca Airport: $46
  • Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $60

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 Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Prices for flights to both San Carlos de Bariloche and Oaxaca de Juarez 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
    Oaxaca de Juarez $22
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez

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

  • Private Oaxaca Street Food Tour - Best Rated : $35
  • Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $55
  • Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
  • Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
  • Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75
  • Oaxaca Central de Abastos Market Food Tour : $78
  • Oaxaca: 10 Mexican Salsas Cooking Class with Taco Tasting: $80
  • 10 Mexican salsas, enjoy cooking and tasting them in Oaxaca: $80

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.
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.

  • Oaxaca Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.13
  • Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.45
  • Walking Tour Oaxaca: $5.59
  • Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $6.53
  • Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $20
  • Oaxaca: Guided Bike Tour to the Largest Tree in the World: $20
  • Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $22
  • Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Shared Tour : $25
  • Monte Albán Morning Half-Day Tour –Small Group, Transport & Guide: $27
  • Oaxaca : City Tour: $27
  • Oaxaca: The Art of Death walking tour: $27
  • Montealban Tour: $28

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
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $17
  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
  • Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
  • From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
  • Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery tour: $55
  • Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
  • Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $101
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150
  • Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua, Mezcal Distillery, and Lunch Tour: $272

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and San Carlos de Bariloche, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and San Carlos de Bariloche is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 San Carlos de Bariloche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Carlos de Bariloche than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.

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


Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or San Carlos de Bariloche?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez 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.