A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mendoza vs. Temuco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mendoza or Temuco?

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 Temuco. 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 Temuco?

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.

Temuco

Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Temuco or Mendoza?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $7.36, while the average daily cost in Temuco 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 Temuco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mendoza $2.79
    Temuco $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mendoza $5.58
    Temuco $88
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Temuco

Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Temuco? 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 Temuco


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 Temuco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mendoza $1.46
    Temuco $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

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

  • Mendoza Bodega Tempus Alba + Trapiche + Transfer incluido: $550
  • Visit Trapiche+Lunch El Enemigo (Michelin). Private transfer: $290
  • Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $260
  • Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $250
  • Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
  • Visita Achaval F+Almuerzo Lagarde(Guia Michelin).Transfer privado: $230
  • Visita Decero+Almuerzo S Balbo (Guia Michelin). Transfer privado: $230
  • Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
  • Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
  • 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
  • Zuccardi Santa Julia+Lunch at Antigal Winery.Transfer included: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco

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

  • Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
  • Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
  • Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Temuco?

Prices for flights to both Temuco 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 $3.29
    Temuco $22
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
  • Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
  • Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
  • Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mendoza $2.08
    Temuco $7.85

Tours and Activities in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4X4 tour Villavicencio Puente del Inca: $44
  • Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $77
  • Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
  • Andes Day Horseback Riding Tour and BBQ: $189
  • Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $99
  • Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $76
  • Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $220
  • Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
  • Choose your Wine Adventure at Uco Valley: $148
  • City Tour And Wines With Lunch: $136
  • City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27
  • Discover Villavicencio Natural Reserve: Half-Day Adventure: $51

Tours and Activities in Temuco

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

  • Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mendoza $1.25
    Temuco $5.13
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:

  • Classic Wine Tasting: $22
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $45
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $49
  • Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Ultimate Uco Valley Wine Tour: $140
  • Full-Day Private Luján De Cuyo Wine Tour from Mendoza: $143
  • Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
  • Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $163
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
  • All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Temuco, we can see that Temuco 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 Temuco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Temuco 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 Temuco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Temuco?

Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Temuco. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and Temuco, 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.