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

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 Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Colonia del Sacramento?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $70, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.47. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $35
    Mendoza $2.84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $70
    Mendoza $5.68
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.

Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento


Hotels in Mendoza


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $18
    Mendoza $1.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 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:

  • Wineries Transfer Lujan de Cuyo Maipu: $140
  • Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
  • Trapiche Winery Tasting + El Enemigo Lunch. Private transfer: $290
  • Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
  • Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $190
  • Tour of 3 Top Wineries in Lujan and Maipu. Transfer Included: $100
  • Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $130
  • Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $24
  • Private transfers to Vinicolas de Lujan and Maipú: $150
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Lujan de Cuyo / Maipu: $120
  • Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Mendoza by Car or Minibus: $21

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $19
    Mendoza $3.34

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

Typical Food Prices in Mendoza

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


  • 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:

  • Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $110
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $183
  • Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
  • Food Tour: $250
  • Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $25
    Mendoza $2.11

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:

  • Almacén de la Capilla - Winery Experience at Carmelo: $215
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $59
  • Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $63
  • Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $100
  • Experience an typical Uruguayan dish: Chivito & Tannat Wine: $78
  • From Best Private Wine Experience: $185
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $80
  • From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $150
  • Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200

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
  • Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
  • Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
  • Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $77
  • Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $270
  • Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
  • Bike Tour in Mendoza Wine Country: $180
  • Bike Tour through Luján Wineries, Mendoza: $250
  • BikeTour- Winery, Handcraft Liquour Stre & Chocolate Factory: $88
  • Charms of Private Tour 3 Wineries with Paired Lunch: $280
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $142
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $182

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $6.01
    Mendoza $1.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Colonia del Sacramento

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colonia del Sacramento:

  • Shuttle to Traditional Vineyard with Wine Tasting included: $30

Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza

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


  • 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:

  • Friday special wine tasting.: $15
  • Classic Wine Tasting: $22
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $39
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $45
  • Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Ultimate Uco Valley Wine Tour: $140
  • Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
  • Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $159
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $166


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.