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

Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Guadalajara?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Carlos de Bariloche and Guadalajara. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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

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.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.


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

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

  • San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Guadalajara Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $86
    Guadalajara $138

The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $138. 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 San Carlos de Bariloche and Guadalajara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
    Guadalajara $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
    Guadalajara $76
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Guadalajara

Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or Guadalajara? 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 San Carlos de Bariloche


Hotels in Guadalajara


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 and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77
    Guadalajara $35

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara

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

  • Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $35
  • Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $89
  • Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Private Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels Safe & Stress-Free: $159
  • Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
  • Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
  • Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289

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

Prices for flights to both Guadalajara and San Carlos de Bariloche 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
    San Carlos de Bariloche $6.11
    Guadalajara $75

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara

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

  • Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated : $44
  • Guadalajara Private Food Tour: $70
  • Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $108
  • Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $195
  • VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33
    Guadalajara $25

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

Tours and Activities in Guadalajara

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

  • Bar Tour of the Coolest Quarter of Guadalajara: $17
  • Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
  • Guadalajara City Center Walking Tour: $25
  • Guadalajara Tour: $27
  • 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $36
  • Walking Tour Historic Center Guadalajara: $39
  • Lucha Libre Tour at the Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara as a local: $39
  • Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
  • Tequila Route Experience from Guadalajara: $40
  • Classic Tequila Tour and CANTARITOS EL GÜERO: $41
  • Guadalajara Private Walking Tour: $42
  • History and Murals: Walking Tour Guadalajara: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76
    Guadalajara $16

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:

  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $65
  • full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $95
  • Guided Tour of Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery: $105
  • Full-Day Tour to La Fortaleza Distillery and Cantaritos: $155
  • Private Adventure Day Tour to Tequila and Cazcanes Distillery: $156
  • Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $161
  • Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $167
  • Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
  • Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $211
  • Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Carlos de Bariloche and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Carlos de Bariloche is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Guadalajara?

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