Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or La Plata?
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 La Plata 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 La Plata and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Mendoza?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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La Plata Prices
Argentina PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $77Mendoza $70
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $77, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $70. 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 La Plata and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $60Mendoza $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $120Mendoza $106
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $4.84Mendoza $5.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $566
- Winery Salentein + Gourmet Lunch in Ruda.Transfer included: $260
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $250
- Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $220
- Visit Winery + Gin Distillery + Lunch with Private Transfer.: $200
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $200
- Argentine BBQ Experience and Winery Visits.Transfer included: $195
- Transfer Bodegas Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu: $150
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $139
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $103
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $65
- Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $8.16Mendoza $7.31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Casa Vigil (the enemy) + Dinner + Guided tour: $140
- Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $150
- Neapolitan Pizza Class with Lunch and Winery Tour: $175
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Bar Safari 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 Night with Full Dinner: $192
- City Tour with Dinner or Wine at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $209
- Argentine Cooking Class at Susana Balbo Winery: $462
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $27Mendoza $29
Tours and Activities in La Plata
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Plata.
- Half-Day City Tour from Buenos Aires: $195
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Rafting and Adrenaline Canopy Mendoza 2 Adventure Activities: $210
- Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley: $124
- 2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included: $185
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared : $109
- Aconcagua Private Full Day Experience : $225
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $132
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $245
- 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: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $6.86Mendoza $7.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $45
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $89
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $109
- Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $110
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Classic Wine Tour with Lunch Experience Top.: $165
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $170
When comparing the travel costs between La Plata and Mendoza, we can see that La Plata is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of La Plata. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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.