A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cali vs. Mendoza for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cali or Mendoza?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and Mendoza can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cali

Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Mendoza or Cali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $17, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $39. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cali and Mendoza in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cali $4.26
    Mendoza $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cali $8.52
    Mendoza $30

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cali $3.99
    Mendoza $7.79
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali

Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City to Cali Airport (CLO): $31
  • Transfer in Cali: $13
  • Private transfer: Cali to Cali International Airport (CLO): $54
  • Private Transfer to / from Buenaventura: $60
  • Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport (CLO): $19
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport: $15
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Cali to Alfonso B. Aragon Airport (CLO): $34
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $105
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $179
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by 2x4 Vehicle: $75
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $255
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $255

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer in Mendoza: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer: Mendoza to El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ): $22
  • Private Airport Transfer: El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza: $22
  • Premium Spa Day & Fango Therapy at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Lunch and Transfers: $93
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $7.00
  • Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $20
  • Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer: $11
  • Mendoza Airport Arrival Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Mendoza?

Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Cali 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
    Cali $6.11
    Mendoza $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali

For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Culinary Journeys: Cooking Workshop + Dinner Party: $50
  • Night City Tour in Cali + Dinner: $110
  • Dinner Show in Cali: $189

Typical Food prices in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $0.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Gourmet Dinner at Espacio Trapiche: $54
  • Cooking class experience at a Mendoza winery: $145
  • Asado cooking class and dinner in Mendoza city.: $168
  • Winery dinner. Enjoy the best restaurant in a winery: $252

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cali $7.53
    Mendoza $11

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Unique Gastronomic Experience With Fruit Tour: $54
  • Alameda Market Fruit Tour: $55
  • Cali ATV tour - Recorrido en Cuatrimoto por ríos y cañaduzales: $125
  • Cali City Tour: $29
  • Cali City Tour: $98
  • Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort: $47
  • Cali Salsa Tour: $167
  • City Tour Cali: $97
  • Coffee Tour - Taste And Live The Authentic Colombian Coffee Experience: $132
  • Cristo Rey + Tertulia Museum + Downtown Cali City Tour 7H: $80
  • Experience Salsa Dance Class in Cali: $78
  • Historical Walking Cali City Tour 3H: $41

Tours and Activities in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3-Days Getaway for Wine lovers - Mendoza Experience!: $670
  • 360º Tour: Vintage classic driving in the Uco Valley.: $97
  • 4-Day Semi-private Mendoza Wine Experience: $718
  • 4-Days of Adventure at Mendoza - Beauty & Adrenaline: $705
  • 4-day Semi-private Tour of Mendoza Andes & Wine: $570
  • 5-Day Adventure Trip in Mendoza: $766
  • 5-Day Private Tour of Mendoza: $1,290
  • 7-Day Mendoza & Bariloche Adventure: Horseback riding, Wine, Trekking & Kayaking: $1,326
  • 7-Day Mendoza & Santiago de Chile Adventure tour: $1,863
  • Aconcagua hiking tour Quebrada del Durazno: $148
  • Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $180
  • Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cali $6.02
    Mendoza $6.68

Typical Alcohol prices in Mendoza

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:


  • Beer
    $0.05

Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:

  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $19
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $21
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $75
  • Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $80
  • Sunday Wine Tasting Tour and Argentinien BBQ: $80
  • Bike wine tour. Visit 2 of the best wineries: $81
  • Private Uco Valley Tour including Lunch and Wine Tasting from Mendoza: $95
  • Private Lujan Wine Tour with Gourmet Wine-Paired Lunch from Mendoza: $100
  • Half day wine tour. Visit 2 wineries in Lujan de Cuyo: $103
  • Private Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour from Mendoza: $136
  • Deluxe Mendoza Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour: $145
  • Bike wine tours. Visit 3 wineries and enjoy gourmet lunch: $153

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and Mendoza, we can see that Mendoza is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Mendoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mendoza than you might in Cali.

Budget Your Trip

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Cali vs. Mendoza Travel Comparison

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