Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Colonia del Sacramento?
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 Colonia del Sacramento or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Mendoza?
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Colonia del Sacramento Prices
Uruguay PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $79Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $79, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $33Mendoza $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $66Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento 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: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Mendoza $4.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wine Tour to Cerros de San Juan Winery + Lunch & Transfer: $225
- Private Transfer Colonia to Carmelo (or vice - versa): $290
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Winery Trapiche + Laur + Lunch in Tempus Alba. Private transfer: $230
- Winery Salentein + Gourmet Lunch in Ruda.Transfer included: $260
- Visita Bodega Huarpe + Almuerzo Bodega Lagarde. Transfer privado: $220
- Visit to Winery and Argentine Asado in Terrace. Transfer included: $170
- Visit to 2 Wineries and Lunch Top. Private transfer.: $190
- Transfer Bodegas Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu: $130
- Tasting in Enemy; Lunch at Tempus Alba + Private Transfer: $245
- Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia. Private transfer: $260
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $23
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $200
- Private Transfer in Mendoza: $25
- Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport (MDZ): $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Colonia del Sacramento 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $31Mendoza $5.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Argentine BBQ on Terrace with Views. Dinner, Sunset.: $80
- Mendoza Cooking Experience with Unlimited Wine & Cocktails: $95
- Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza: $95
- Bar Safari 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 Night with Full Dinner: $167
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $180
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $199
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $23Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Barrio Sur Tour: Explore Colonia del Sacramento at Sunset: $35
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- Candombe in Colonia: an immersive experience with the local community: $75
- City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
- City tour by vehicle throughout the city and visit to the Plaza de Toros.: $80
- Colonia : Tour Barrio Sur UNESCO World Heritage Site with a local guide: $25
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $68
- City Tour Walking and Van Tour: $50
- Guided City Tour: $59
- Historical Walking Tour: $27
- Small Group City Tour: $60
- Top-Rated Shared Walking Tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley: $102
- 2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included: $185
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared : $114
- Aconcagua Private Full Day Experience : $179
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $188
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Trekking Day in Vallecitos Cordon del Plata: $150
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $190
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $129
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $84
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.64Mendoza $5.94
Sample the Local Flavors in Colonia del Sacramento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colonia del Sacramento:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting - Roots of Colonia del Sacramento: $28
- Colonia del Sacramento Private Walking Tour with Cheese and Wine Tasting: $97
- Private Guided Colonia Wine Tour: $190
- Indulge in a Scenic Wine Tour from Colonia to Carmelo : $250
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: $44
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $80
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $89
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil: $99
- Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $115
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $182
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Mendoza, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento 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.