Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Mendoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
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 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.
-
Mendoza Prices
Argentina PricesCafayate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $56Cafayate $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $56, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $53. 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 personMendoza $42Cafayate $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $84Cafayate $68
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.
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $4.15Cafayate $5.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Helicopter Flight with Lunch and Transfer: $560
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $393
- Clos of the 7 Experience. Winery Visits, Lunch & Private Transfer: $280
- Private Transfer to Uco Valley Wineries Full Day: $280
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $260
- Tasting Experience and Roast in Sottano Winery– Private Transfer: $230
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $183
- Cacheuta Thermal Water Park Full-Day Spa, Creole Buffet and Private Transfer: $155
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 dayMendoza $5.80Cafayate $6.41
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
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $101
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- 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
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $23Cafayate $40
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
- 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 Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Relaxation in Mendoza Rafting and Cacheuta Springs: $237
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $64
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $240
Tours and Activities in Cafayate
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cafayate.
- Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazu Falls Argentina Side Guided Tour: $301
- From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
- From Salta: The Calchaqui Valley Winery Tour in Cafayate: $46
- Hot Air Balloon Experience - Cafayate Salta: $250
- Scenic Horseback Adventure to El Toldito All Levels Welcome: $139
- Unveiling Premium Wine Road Adventure: $116
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $5.90Cafayate $19
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
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $33
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $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
Sample the Local Flavors in Cafayate
Also in Cafayate, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-day Wine Tour: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Mendoza and Cafayate, we can see that Mendoza 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 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.
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.