Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Playa del Carmen?
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 Playa del Carmen or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Mendoza? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Mendoza?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $94Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $94, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. 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 Playa del Carmen and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $38Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $76Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $23Mendoza $4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Transfer from carmen beach to chiquila-ferry to holbox island: $147
- Safe Private Transfers from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport: $80
- Round trip Private Transfer Cancun- Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres: $71
- Round Trip Private Transfer (Costa Mujeres): $210
- Private Transfers to Cancun Airport, from Playa del Carmen: $98
- Private Transfers To Cancun Int'l Airport, from Playa Del Carmen: $97
- Private Transfer to Xplor/Xplor fire/Xenses, roundtrip from PDC: $160
- Private Transfer to Cenotes at Riviera Maya: $189
- Private Transfer to Cenote at Tulum: $213
- Private Transfer roundtrip to Xoximilco. from PLAYA and CANCUN: $260
- Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila Ferry Dock: $299
- Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport – Safe: $117
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $116
- Clos of the 7 Experience. Winery Visits, Lunch & Private Transfer: $280
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $114
- From Potrerillos Rafting Tour with Transfer: $100
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) Private Transfer to Mendoza City: $18
- Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $65
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $140
- Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $55
- Mendoza to Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ)- Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Mendoza, Los Puquios: Snow experience + transfer and equipment included: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $39Mendoza $5.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Christmas Eve Dinner in a magical jungle setting: $45
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Drinks: $77
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $82
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
- Mayan Ceremony in Tulum. Temazcal, Dinner and pick up included.: $92
- Mexican Cooking Class 1 or 3 Courses Tequila and Mezcal Tasting: $105
- Mexican Cooking Class: $113
- Mayan Cooking Class: Chicken Pibil in Secret Cenote: $114
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $101
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $194
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $16Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Cenotes & Kaan Luum Lagoon Adventure from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 3 Hour Tour ATV Single with Underground River from Tulum: $135
- 3-in-1 Tour to Tulum, Cenote and Maya Village Riviera Maya: $99
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $41
- 4 Casa Tortugas Cenotes Tour from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $82
- AQUA WONDER (Half-Day Aquatic Tour in Tulum with Snorkeling and Meals): $129
- ATV (Shared) & Cenote Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $130
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines & Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $57
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $149
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $140
- ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen with Zip Lines: $71
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- City Center Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $20
- Mendoza City: Immigrant Sightseeing Tour – Squares, Museums, Artisans, Casino, Theater: $22
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Self-Guided Bike Tour in Luján de Cuyo Wine Region (Mendoza): $23
- Luján de Cuyo Wine Region Self-Guided Bike Tour: $23
- Standard City Tour: $23
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $24
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Quarter plus Mendoza-Style Snack: $25
- City Tour: $25
- City Highlights Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $20Mendoza $5.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
- Playa del Carmen Local Brewery and Tacos Experience: $58
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $33
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Mendoza, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Mendoza is in South America, 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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.