Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca?
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 Humahuaca. 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 Humahuaca?
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.
Humahuaca
Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).
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 PricesHumahuaca Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $70Humahuaca $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $70, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca 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 Mendoza and Humahuaca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $53Humahuaca $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $106Humahuaca $108
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Humahuaca
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Humahuaca? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $5.19Humahuaca $4.36
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
- Catena Zapata and El Enemigo Wine Tasting with Private Transfer: $230
- Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $220
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $200
- Visit to 2 Wineries and Lunch Top. Private transfer.: $190
- Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $170
- Distillery Gin + Lunch in Winery with Private Transfer.: $160
- Luján de Cuyo/ Maipú Wineries. Full Day. Transfer.: $140
- Transfer Bodegas Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu: $130
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $103
- Essential Wine and Lunch. Private Transfer: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca
Also for Humahuaca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Humahuaca?
Prices for flights to both Humahuaca 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 $7.27Humahuaca $5.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Horseback riding with lunch or dinner in the foothills of Mendoza: $130
- 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
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $198
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $209
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
- Food Tour: $250
- Argentine Cooking Class at Susana Balbo Winery: $462
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $29Humahuaca $30
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: $111
- 2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included: $185
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared : $110
- Aconcagua Private Full Day Experience : $225
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $119
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $245
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $282
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $190
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $129
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $98
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $195
Tours and Activities in Humahuaca
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.
- Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $7.39Humahuaca $7.11
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: $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
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $170
- Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
- Classic Wine Tour with Lunch Experience Top.: $180
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $216
When comparing the travel costs between Mendoza and Humahuaca, 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 Humahuaca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Humahuaca?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Humahuaca. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and Humahuaca, 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.