Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Buzios?
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 Buzios or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios or Mendoza? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Buzios or Mendoza?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Buzios Prices
Brazil PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $94Mendoza $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $94, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $55. 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 Buzios and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $37Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $74Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $19Mendoza $4.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $188
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $117
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $117
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $90
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Helicopter Flight with Lunch and Transfer: $560
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $393
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $280
- Huarpe Winery Experience & Lunch at Lagarde. Private Transfer: $240
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Asado Argentino Lunch & Visit 2 Wineries with Private Transfer: $190
- Mendoza Private Full Day : Olive Oil, Wine & Roast + Transfer: $170
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $159
- Cacheuta Thermal Water Park Full-Day Spa, Creole Buffet and Private Transfer: $155
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $41Mendoza $5.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $99
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $197
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $26Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $39
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $105
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $112
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $34
- Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $64
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
- Diving Experience In Buzios: $162
- Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $18
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Lunch. Private Transport: $130
- 3 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Private Transport: $100
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour with 34 Traditional Argentine Flavors: $95
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $123
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared: $135
- Aconcagua Trip Full-Day Experience: $160
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $242
- Adventure and Trekking Day in Vallecitos Cordon del Plata: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $17Mendoza $5.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Learn to Taste Wine Like a Sommelier: Interactive Wine Tasting: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Mendoza, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.