Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Mendoza?
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 Mendoza or El Calafate?
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 El Calafate. 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 El Calafate?
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.
El Calafate
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina.
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Mendoza Prices
Argentina PricesEl Calafate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $77El Calafate $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $77, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $80. 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 El Calafate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $58El Calafate $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $116El Calafate $100
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and El Calafate
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or El Calafate? 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: Mendoza Hotel Prices and El Calafate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $5.71El Calafate $5.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Winery Trapiche + Laur + Lunch in Tempus Alba. Private transfer: $220
- Winery Salentein + Gourmet Lunch in Ruda.Transfer included: $260
- Visita Bodega Huarpe + Almuerzo Bodega Lagarde. Transfer privado: $220
- Visit 2 Wineries. Lunch & Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
- Transfer Bodegas Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu: $150
- Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $180
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $30
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $200
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $250
- Private Transfer MDZ Airport - Main Town: $20
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $30
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $72
- Todo Glaciares Boat Tour. Transfers from El Calafate available: $205
- Shared Transfer from El Calafate Airport to downtown Hotel: $11
- Private Transfer: Calafate Airport to City Center: $59
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Calafate): $35
- Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $45
- Point-to-Point Transfers from Airport to Calafate City: $33
- Perito Moreno Glacier Expedition with Transfer & Guide inc.: $98
- Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $480
- GLACIERS GOURMET Perito Moreno Navigation Full service & Transfer: $257
- FTE Aiport transfer Group 4 to 6 people with luggage: $125
- Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or El Calafate?
Prices for flights to both El Calafate 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
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Food Meals for one dayMendoza $7.99El Calafate $9.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Argentinian Cooking and Wine Pairing in Downtown Mendoza: $99
- Horseback riding with lunch or dinner in the foothills of Mendoza: $130
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $160
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $170
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $170
- Neapolitan Pizza Class with Lunch and Winery Tour: $175
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
- Food Tour: $250
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $117
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $174
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner from Calafate: $190
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $191
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $240
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $32El Calafate $71
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley: $124
- 2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included: $185
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared : $105
- Aconcagua short hike, and high mountain tour with barbecue.: $210
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
- 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: $95
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $190
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $233
Tours and Activities in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Argentine Cuisine Experience in El Calafate: $110
- 4 Days & 3 Nights El Calafate & El Chaltén Magical Adventure: $1,350
- Adventure Horseback Riding on Cerro Frias: $160
- Blue Safari Experience: Hiking and Navigation on Glaciers: $280
- CAÑADON EXPERIENCE - TREKKING & STAY - PRIVATE VEHICLE: $1,400
- CALAFATE: Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate: $185
- Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $199
- Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour: $235
- DARWIN EXPERIENCE KAYAK & ADVENTURE: $216
- Darwin Experience: $245
- Discover La Leona Petrified Forest: Guided Hiking Tour: $211
- EL CALAFATE Native experience lakes and caverns: $197
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $8.12El Calafate $11
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: $38
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $45
- Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $99
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $115
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Wine tour with lunch: $174
- Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
- Wine tour in Mendoza Uco Valley: $185
- Private Wine Tour with Lunch: $190
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $199
When comparing the travel costs between Mendoza and El Calafate, we can see that El Calafate 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 El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mendoza or El Calafate?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and El Calafate, 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.