Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Pereira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pereira or Mendoza?
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 Pereira and Mendoza. 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: Pereira or Mendoza?
Pereira
Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.
The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.
Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.
Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPereira $66Mendoza $7.36
The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $66, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.36. 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 Pereira and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPereira $27Mendoza $2.79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPereira $54Mendoza $5.58
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Pereira or Mendoza? 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: Pereira Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pereira $21Mendoza $1.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:
- Santa Rosa Cabal to Pereira Airport PEI - Departure Transfer: $63
- One-Way Private Transfer from Matecaña Airport: $12
- One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Airport: $46
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
- Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $80
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $250
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $80
- Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $54
- Mendoza Bodega Tempus Alba + Trapiche + Transfer incluido: $550
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
- Mendoza to Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ)- Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Pereira 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 dayPereira $23Mendoza $3.29
Typical Food Prices in Pereira
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:
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Hamburger$1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pereira
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pereira.
- Private Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Pereira: $82
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- 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
- Food Tour: $250
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
- Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pereira $19Mendoza $2.08
Tours and Activities in Pereira
Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Coffee Heritage, A multisensory experience: $100
- Chocolate Tour - Wonders of the Cacao: $185
- City Tour Historic Center of Manizales in Caldas: $46
- Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
- Cocora Valley and Salento Horseback Riding Day Tour: $137
- Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Farm Day Tour : $124
- Cocora Valley, Salento and Filandia Full-Day Private Tour: $246
- Cocora, Salento and Coffee Experience: $258
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
- Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $151
- Coffee Tour - Mountains, Delicious Cups and Smiles: $209
- Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mendoza Walking Tour: The history of the City and main Park!: $11
- Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $19
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $20
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $21
- Renacer Winery Experience: $25
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27
- Mendoza City Tour: $31
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $33
- 12-KM River Rafting Tour in the Andes: $39
- Historical City Walking Tour: $40
- Half Day Winery Tour: $45
- Winery Tour through Uco Valley Tupungato Tunuyan: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPereira $14Mendoza $1.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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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
- Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $157
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- Full Day Private Uco Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pereira and Mendoza, we can see that Pereira 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 Pereira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pereira 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 Pereira Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pereira or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Pereira. When comparing the sizes of Pereira and Mendoza, 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.