Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza?
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $63Mendoza $7.36
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.36. 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 Antigua Guatemala and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Mendoza $2.79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Mendoza $5.58
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza? 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Mendoza $1.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- From Guatemala City: One-way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mendoza Bodega Tempus Alba + Trapiche + Transfer incluido: $550
- Visit Trapiche+Lunch El Enemigo (Michelin). Private transfer: $290
- Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $260
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $250
- Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
- Visita Decero+Almuerzo S Balbo (Guia Michelin). Transfer privado: $230
- Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
- Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
- 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
- Zuccardi Santa Julia+Lunch at Antigal Winery.Transfer included: $150
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Antigua Guatemala 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $14Mendoza $3.29
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.22
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Lunch$7.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Foodie & street food tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $137
- Cooking class - Gastronomic Experience - 12 classes per year: $150
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
- Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
- Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Mendoza $2.08
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $110
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $125
- 2-Day Tour of Lake Atitlan & Chichicastenango Market: $220
- 2-day tour to Acatenango Volcano: $75
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $72
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Shared Antigua Villages Experience: $90
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $100
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $116
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hiking from Antigua - 2 Days Private Tour: $215
- Acatenango Volcano Tour with Overnight from Antigua: $99
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Admire the majesty of the Cordillera: AltaMontaña Experience: $250
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $77
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
- Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $99
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $76
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $220
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
- Bike Tour - Meet San Martín Park: $58
- Choose your Wine Adventure at Uco Valley: $180
- City Tour And Wines With Lunch: $136
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Mendoza $1.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Macadamia Chocolate and Wine Tour on ATV or UTV: $85
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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Beer$0.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $49
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Full-Day Private Luján De Cuyo Wine Tour from Mendoza: $143
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
- Intimate Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $215
- Luján Wine Tasting Guided Experience with Lunch: $230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Mendoza, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Mendoza 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 Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala than you might in Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Mendoza, 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.