Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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.
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Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina PricesLa Paz Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $86La Paz $132
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $132. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $70La Paz $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $140La Paz $94
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche or La Paz? 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 and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77La Paz $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche: BRC Airport to City Centre|Hotel Private Transfer: $14
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
- Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Shared Transfer Airport Bariloche Downtown : $25
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $39
- Private Transfer from Downtown Bariloche to the Airport: $43
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer Bariloche Center Cerro Catedral or vice versa: $48
- Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $6.11La Paz $60
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 La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 3 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $77
- 3 hrs SEAFOOD Tour in La Paz: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $33La Paz $11
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:
- Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
- Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $41
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
- Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $55
- Cerro Lopez Zipline Adventure from Bariloche: $56
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- Canopy Half-Day Tour in Bariloche: $60
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Mural and Sculpture Art Tour at the Peace Center: $40
- Coral Farm Snorkel Tour: $55
- Pearl Farm Experience and shop: $65
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $83
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $95
- RZR Tour of Mogote Dunes and Sandboarding: $103
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $105
- holy spirit island tour: $108
- La Paz Beaches Half Day Tour: $111
- Holy Spirit Island Tour Sea Lions Snorkeling and Beach: $111
- Most Popular Tour in La Paz Isla Espíritu Santo and Sea Lions: $122
- Espiritu Santo Island Tour: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Carlos de Bariloche $8.76La Paz $11
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 San Carlos de Bariloche and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 La Paz 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz 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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche and La Paz, 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.