A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Mendoza vs. Cafayate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mendoza or Cafayate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mendoza and Cafayate. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mendoza or Cafayate?

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.

Cafayate

Cafayate is located in the province of Salta, in the central zone of the Valles Calchaquies. The small town has about 12,000 residents and is 1,329 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

People head to the small town of Cafayate to explore its vineyards and unique rock formations. It has become an important tourist destination in the area and there is a large golf course under construction just outside of town.

Cafayate is an important wine production center. The wines in the area thrive from the low humidity mild weather of the valleys. The town receives less than 250 millimeters of precipitation a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Mendoza?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $7.47, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $12. 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 Mendoza and Cafayate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mendoza $2.84
    Cafayate $4.50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mendoza $5.68
    Cafayate $9.00
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Cafayate

Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Cafayate? 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 Mendoza


Hotels in Cafayate


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: Mendoza Hotel Prices and Cafayate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mendoza $1.48
    Cafayate $2.44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Trapiche Winery Tasting + El Enemigo Lunch. Private transfer: $290
  • Chandon Tasting+Lunch Quimera Achaval F. Private transfer: $260
  • Chandon Winery + El Enemigo de A Vigil lunch.Transfer included: $250
  • Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
  • Degustación Achaval Ferrer+Almuerzo Lagarde.Transfer privado: $230
  • Degustación Decero Wines+Almuerzo Susana Balbo. Transfer privado: $230
  • Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
  • Atamisque Winery + Lunch at Ruda Cocina. Transfer included: $210
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
  • Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $190
  • Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
  • 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Cafayate?

Prices for flights to both Cafayate and Mendoza 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
    Mendoza $3.34
    Cafayate $4.91
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

Typical Food Prices in Cafayate

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cafayate:


  • Dinner (Empanadas)
    $0.02
  • Sandwich
    $0.01
  • Pizza
    $0.02

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mendoza $2.11
    Cafayate $5.28

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

Tours and Activities in Cafayate

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cafayate.

  • From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
  • From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $67
  • From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $134
  • Half-Day Wine Road Premium Tour From Cafayate: $68
  • Tour Quebrada De Las Conchas - Cafayate - Salta: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mendoza $1.27
    Cafayate $4.96
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 Mendoza and Cafayate, we can see that Cafayate 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 Cafayate would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cafayate 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 Mendoza Expensive? and Is Cafayate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Cafayate?

Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Cafayate. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and Cafayate, 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.