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Bariloche on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes: hostels, city buses, free viewpoints and cheap empanadas make Bariloche workable on a budget, though excursions are what push costs up. A realistic minimum is about US$70 a day per person sharing a room — around US$25 for a bed, US$25 for food, US$15 for sights and US$5 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$25 | US$60 | US$180 |
| Food & drink | US$25 | US$45 | US$90 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$40 | US$80 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$25 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$70 | US$170 | US$400 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Bariloche day-cost table.
Free things to do
- The Centro Cívico square and the lakeshore in front of it
- Walking Calle Mitre and looking into the chocolate shops
- The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi above the shore
- Short trails in Llao Llao Municipal Park, such as the path to Villa Tacul beach
- Walking up Cerro Campanario instead of taking the chairlift
- The Punto Panorámico viewpoint and Bahía López on the Circuito Chico
Cheap eats
- Empanadas from a bakery or empanada shop — roughly US$1.50–3.50 each
- Ice cream with local berries from a heladería — roughly US$3.50–6.50
- A pint at a brewpub — roughly US$4–7
- A simple lunch in town — around US$12–20
- Pizza or a set lunch in the side streets south of Mitre
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in the town centre, close to the bus stops, Calle Mitre and the lake, where dorms and simple rooms run about US$25–70. Prices rise in January and in July, so book ahead for those months.
Getting around cheaply
Buy a rechargeable SUBE card at a kiosk and use city buses along Avenida Bustillo to the Circuito Chico, Cerro Campanario and Cerro Catedral. From the airport, about 15 km east, a taxi or remis costs roughly US$15–25. For the Circuito Chico, renting a bike at km 18 is the cheapest way to see it well; Tronador and the Seven Lakes Route are easier on a tour or with a shared rental car.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bus 20 to km 17.5 and walk up Cerro Campanario for the view (bus fare only)
- Lunch: empanadas from a bakery (about US$6)
- Afternoon: rent a bike at km 18 for part of the Circuito Chico, or walk the trails in Llao Llao Municipal Park
- Evening: a pint at a brewery and a simple dinner in town (about US$15–20)
- Total: about US$70 including a hostel bed (about US$25)
More ways to save
- Choose one paid excursion — Isla Victoria or Tronador — rather than doing all of them.
- Share a rental car with others for Tronador and the Seven Lakes Route; it is often cheaper than separate tour seats.
- Use your hostel kitchen and the supermarket for breakfast and picnics on the trails.
- Visit in April–May or October–November, when rooms are cheaper and quieter.
- Keep national park fees in mind, as Isla Victoria and Tronador charge entry on top of the trip.
- Ask for the price with and without card or cash before paying; the difference can be significant.
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Common questions
Can you visit Bariloche on a budget?
Yes. Hostels, city buses with a SUBE card, free viewpoints and empanadas keep costs to about US$70 a day.
What is the cheapest way to see the Circuito Chico?
Take bus 20 along Avenida Bustillo and rent a bike at km 18 for the loop, or walk the trails in Llao Llao Municipal Park.
Is a tour to Tronador worth the money?
If you have no car, yes: a tour costs roughly US$70–100 plus the park fee and takes 10–12 hours. Sharing a rental car can be cheaper for a group.