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

Should you visit Quito or Mendoza?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Quito 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: Quito or Mendoza?

Quito

Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.

Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.

Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.

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 Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Quito?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $52, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.47. 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 Quito and Mendoza in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Quito $22
    Mendoza $2.84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Quito $44
    Mendoza $5.68
Compare Hotels in Quito and Mendoza

Looking for a hotel in Quito 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.

Hotels in Quito


Hotels in Mendoza


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: Quito Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Quito $6.99
    Mendoza $1.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:


  • Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:

  • Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $29
  • Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Quito City - Quito Airport (UIO): $38
  • Transfer in or out transportation from Mariscal airport to Quito: $40
  • Transfer in and Transfer out: $75
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito City - Quito Airport (UIO): $53
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito Airport (UIO) - Quito City: $53
  • Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $39
  • Transfer In / Out Quito: $25
  • Transfer In & Out from Quito: $100
  • Top Quito Airport & Hotel Transfers: $35
  • Shared Transfer from Quito hotels to Airport: $47

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
  • Atamisque Winery + Lunch at Ruda Cocina. Transfer included: $210
  • Chandon Tasting+Lunch Quimera Achaval F. Private transfer: $260
  • Chandon Winery + El Enemigo de A Vigil lunch.Transfer included: $250
  • Degustación Achaval Ferrer+Almuerzo Lagarde.Transfer privado: $230
  • Degustación Decero Wines+Almuerzo Susana Balbo. Transfer privado: $230
  • Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $86
  • Desgustación Pulenta Estate + Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $220
  • Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $55
  • Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Mendoza?

Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Quito 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
    Quito $20
    Mendoza $3.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.

  • Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $35
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Cooking class In-home space: $75
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer: $92
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $114
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $140
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour : $160
  • Traditional Cooking & Local Spirit and the Equator line Tour: $199
  • Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $235

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
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $183
  • Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
  • Food Tour: $250
  • Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Quito $16
    Mendoza $2.11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito

Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Quito

Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Otavalo Market Private Sightseeing and Surroundings: $110
  • The best of Quito walking tour: $260
  • 1 Day Cultural Tour Otavalo And Cuicocha Lagoon: $65
  • 2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon: $329
  • 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
  • 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
  • 3-Day Private Tour of Quito: $120
  • 3-Days Andes & Amazon | Tour From Quito: $865
  • 8 Hours Mindo Cloud Forest Tour from Quito : $100
  • All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
  • Andes Tour 2 days 1 night: Cotopaxi + Quilotoa: $180
  • Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $185

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: Want to explore the city's history?: $8.25
  • Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $19
  • Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $20
  • Mendoza Argentina City Tour: $20
  • Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $21
  • City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $25
  • Renacer Winery Experience: $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $26
  • Mendoza City Tour: $28
  • 12-KM River Rafting Tour in the Andes: $39
  • Villavicencio Natural Reserve Half-Day Tour from Mendoza: $42
  • Winery Tour through Uco Valley Tupungato Tunuyan: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Quito $17
    Mendoza $1.27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:


  • Beers for Two
    $9.00

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:

  • Friday special wine tasting.: $15
  • Classic Wine Tasting: $22
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $39
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $45
  • Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Ultimate Uco Valley Wine Tour: $140
  • Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
  • Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $159
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $166


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


Which is Bigger, Quito or Mendoza?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Quito 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.