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

Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche or Valparaiso?

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 Valparaiso. 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 Valparaiso?

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.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso 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
    Valparaiso Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $86
    Valparaiso $82

The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $82. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Carlos de Bariloche $70
    Valparaiso $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Carlos de Bariloche $140
    Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Valparaiso

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


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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77
    Valparaiso $4.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:

  • Adventure in Piedras Blancas: Sledding Day with Transfers : $150
  • Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
  • BARILOCHE: PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTER: $145
  • Bariloche Airport (BRC) to Cerro Catedral - Arrival Transfer: $83
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
  • Bariloche Airport BRC to Cerro Catedral RoundTrip Transfer: $167
  • Bariloche Airport Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip PrivateTransfer: $149
  • Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $44
  • Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
  • Bariloche: BRC Airport to City Centre|Hotel Private Transfer: $14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $260
  • Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270

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

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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
    Valparaiso $38

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

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Carlos de Bariloche $33
    Valparaiso $18

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.19

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • The Tour of Valparaiso in French on foot and in a small group: $18
  • Shared Tour in Street Art, Funiculars and Port: $30
  • Valparaiso Private Walking Tour with a Local: $32
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Walking Tour Valparaiso, History & Art - Private Optional: $42
  • Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
  • Private Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso: $70
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Carlos de Bariloche $8.76
    Valparaiso $7.78

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • A Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Service from Casablanca : $75
  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320


When comparing the travel costs between San Carlos de Bariloche and Valparaiso, we can see that San Carlos de Bariloche 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 San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive? and Is Valparaiso Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Valparaiso?

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