Should you visit Cali or Mendoza?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Cali and Mendoza can help. 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 $20, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $52. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cali and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $9.80 for a double occupancy room in Cali If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Mendoza, $40 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Mendoza, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $20, such as in a hostel.
Food
Cali food costs typically run travelers around $7.02 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Mendoza can vary, the average travelers spends about $23 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Mendoza should cost around $9.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mendoza is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cali $7.02
Mendoza $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Culinary Journeys: Cooking Workshop + Dinner Party:
$50
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Night City Tour in Cali + Dinner:
$110
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Dinner Show in Cali:
$189
Typical Food prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Gourmet Dinner at Espacio Trapiche:
$54
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Cooking class experience at a Mendoza winery:
$145
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Asado cooking class and dinner in Mendoza city.:
$168
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Winery dinner. Enjoy the best restaurant in a winery:
$252
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Cali than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $4.59 on transportation in Cali on average per day.
Mendoza's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $10 per person, per day on transportation in Mendoza.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City to Cali Airport (CLO):
$31
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Transfer in Cali:
$13
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Private transfer: Cali to Cali International Airport (CLO):
$54
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Private Transfer to / from Buenaventura:
$60
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Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport (CLO):
$19
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Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport:
$15
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Private Airport Transfer: from Cali to Alfonso B. Aragon Airport (CLO):
$34
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Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan:
$105
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Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus:
$179
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Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by 2x4 Vehicle:
$75
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Cali to Popayan Private Transfer:
$255
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Cali to Popayan Private Transfer:
$255
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel:
$13
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Private Transfer in Mendoza:
$29
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Private Airport Transfer: Mendoza to El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ):
$22
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Private Airport Transfer: El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza:
$22
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Premium Spa Day & Fango Therapy at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Lunch and Transfers:
$93
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One Way Transfer - Mendoza Airport to/from Mendoza City:
$25
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Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$11
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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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Cali, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $8.66 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Mendoza can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Alameda Market Fruit Tour:
$55
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Cali ATV tour - Recorrido en Cuatrimoto por ríos y cañaduzales:
$125
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Cali City Tour:
$98
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Cali City Tour:
$29
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Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort:
$47
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Cali Salsa Tour:
$167
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City Tour Cali:
$97
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Coffee Tour - Taste And Live The Authentic Colombian Coffee Experience:
$132
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Cristo Rey + Tertulia Museum + Downtown Cali City Tour 7H:
$80
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Experience Salsa Dance Class in Cali:
$78
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Historical Walking Cali City Tour 3H:
$41
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Nature adventure (3 days, all-included):
$293
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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3-Days Getaway for Wine lovers - Mendoza Experience!:
$670
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360º Tour: Vintage classic driving in the Uco Valley.:
$97
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4-Day Semi-private Mendoza Wine Experience:
$718
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4-Days of Adventure at Mendoza - Beauty & Adrenaline:
$705
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4-day Semi-private Tour of Mendoza Andes & Wine:
$570
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5-Day Adventure Trip in Mendoza:
$766
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5-Day Private Tour of Mendoza:
$1,290
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7-Day Mendoza & Bariloche Adventure: Horseback riding, Wine, Trekking & Kayaking:
$1,326
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7-Day Mendoza & Santiago de Chile Adventure tour:
$1,863
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Aconcagua hiking tour Quebrada del Durazno:
$148
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Adrenalin Canopy Tour Mendoza River:
$74
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Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua:
$180
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Cali spend on average $6.92 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Mendoza spend on average $8.79 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
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Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza:
$21
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Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch:
$80
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Sunday Wine Tasting Tour and Argentinien BBQ:
$80
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Bike wine tour. Visit 2 of the best wineries:
$81
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Private Uco Valley Tour including Lunch and Wine Tasting from Mendoza:
$95
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Private Lujan Wine Tour with Gourmet Wine-Paired Lunch from Mendoza:
$100
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Mendoza 4-Day Sightseeing and Wine Tour:
$103
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Half day wine tour. Visit 2 wineries in Lujan de Cuyo:
$103
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Private Wine Tasting and Vineyards Tour from Mendoza:
$136
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Deluxe Mendoza Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
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Bike wine tours. Visit 3 wineries and enjoy gourmet lunch:
$153
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Luján de Cuyo best Wines- Ultimate Wine Tour:
$154
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.
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