Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Ilha Grande?
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 Ilha Grande or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ilha Grande or Mendoza? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ilha Grande or Mendoza?
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.
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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Ilha Grande Prices
Brazil PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIlha Grande $84Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $84, 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 Ilha Grande and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIlha Grande $37Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIlha Grande $74Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ilha Grande $18Mendoza $4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Regular transfer from Isla Grande (Abraão) x Rio de Janeiro: $48
- Regular transfer from Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $51
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Departure private transfer from Costa do Sol to Rio GIG Airport: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Transportation around Mendoza or others states!!! Trips.. transfers: $35
- Termas Cacheuta Water Park with transfer: $50
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $260
- Private Wine, Empanadas and Choripán Tour with Transfers: $120
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Lujan de Cuyo: $45
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $11
- Private Transfer in Mendoza I Personal Driver: $30
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $38
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $38
- Private One Way Transfer from Mendoza Airport to Hotel: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Ilha Grande or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Ilha Grande 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 dayIlha Grande $36Mendoza $5.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $99
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $194
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Casa Vigil (the enemy) + Dinner + Guided tour: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ilha Grande $6.62Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande
For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $84
- Angra Islands Speedboat Tour from Paraty: $64
- Angra Paradise Islands Speedboat Tour: $90
- Angra Super Blue Lagoon Speedboat Tour: $79
- Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $75
- Angra dos Reis Lagoons Shared Speedboat Tour: $87
- Boat Adventure through the Super Blue Lagoon in Angra dos Reis: $110
- Discover Angra Dos Reis Shared Walking Tour: $204
- Discover Angra’s Hidden Paradise Islands by Speedboat Tour: $114
- Diving Adventures in Angra dos Reis: $240
- Escuna Tour to Angra Beaches of Dos Reis & Grand Island: $20
- Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $67
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Lunch. Private Transport: $130
- 3 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Private Transport: $100
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour with 34 Traditional Argentine Flavors: $95
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $132
- Aconcagua & Puente del Inca Full Day Tour from Mendoza with Lunch: $110
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $242
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Relaxation in Mendoza Rafting and Cacheuta Springs: $237
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIlha Grande $11Mendoza $5.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $95
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ilha Grande and Mendoza, we can see that Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
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.