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

Should you visit Mendoza or Vieques Island?

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 Vieques Island. 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 Vieques Island?

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.

Vieques Island

Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!

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


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island is $170. 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 Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mendoza $2.79
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mendoza $5.58
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Vieques Island? 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 Vieques Island


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mendoza $1.46
    Vieques Island $30

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 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
  • Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $148

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island

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

  • Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
  • Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island 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
    Vieques Island $54
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:

  • Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $137
  • Cooking class - Gastronomic Experience - 12 classes per year: $150
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
  • 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
    Vieques Island $34

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
  • Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $77
  • Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
  • Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
  • 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
  • Bike Tour - Meet San Martín Park: $58
  • Choose your Wine Adventure at Uco Valley: $180
  • City Tour And Wines With Lunch: $136
  • City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

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

  • 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $128
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
  • Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
  • Culebra Island Snorkel with Turtles Adventure - Ferry Tickets Included: $135
  • El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
  • Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
  • Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Culebra Island with Lunch: $139
  • Half Day Adventure Private Tour in El Yunque Rainforest: $234
  • Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $45
  • Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125
  • Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mendoza $1.25
    Vieques Island $30
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
  • 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: $164
  • Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
  • All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
  • Intimate Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $215
  • Luján Wine Tasting Guided Experience with Lunch: $230


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mendoza is in South America and Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Vieques Island?

Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and Vieques Island, 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.