Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cozumel 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 Cozumel and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Mendoza?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $118Mendoza $7.36
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $118, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.36. 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 Cozumel and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $70Mendoza $2.79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $140Mendoza $5.58
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $23Mendoza $1.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
- Private Transfer from Cozumel hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port: $44
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
- Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $30
- Cozumel to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM)Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
- Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mendoza Bodega Tempus Alba + Trapiche + Transfer incluido: $550
- Visit Trapiche+Lunch El Enemigo (Michelin). Private transfer: $290
- Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $260
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $250
- Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
- Visita Decero+Almuerzo S Balbo (Guia Michelin). Transfer privado: $230
- Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
- Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
- 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
- Zuccardi Santa Julia+Lunch at Antigal Winery.Transfer included: $150
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $24Mendoza $3.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $137
- Cooking class - Gastronomic Experience - 12 classes per year: $150
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
- Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
- Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $44Mendoza $2.08
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Island Tour With Private Driver : $56
- Private Cozumel Jeep Tour & Jade Caverns Cenote: All-Inclusive: $85
- Romantic tour in Cozumel: $127
- 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.03
- 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $69
- 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
- 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
- 4 Hours Experience the turtle sanctuary on La Chula Catamarán : $78
- 4-Hour Jeep and ATV Tour with Snorkel in Cozumel with Lunch: $99
- A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80
- A snorkeling adventure in a glass-bottom boat at Cozumel's reef.: $70
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
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $77
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
- Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $99
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $76
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $220
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
- Bike Tour - Meet San Martín Park: $58
- Choose your Wine Adventure at Uco Valley: $180
- City Tour And Wines With Lunch: $136
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $11Mendoza $1.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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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:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $49
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Full-Day Private Luján De Cuyo Wine Tour from Mendoza: $143
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
- Intimate Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $215
- Luján Wine Tasting Guided Experience with Lunch: $230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Mendoza, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Mendoza is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.