Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Mendoza?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $108Mendoza $55
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $108, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $55. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $43Mendoza $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $86Mendoza $82
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $30Mendoza $4.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Lujan de Cuyo: $85
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $13
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $172
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $393
- Private Helicopter Flight with Lunch and Transfer: $560
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $38
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $37Mendoza $5.66
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
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Francis Mallmann Gourmet Wine Paired Dinner: $265
- Casa Vigil Winery Dinner with Transfer: $360
- Lunch or dinner at Catena Zapata Winery: $460
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $13Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $49
- Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Day Tour ending in Palenque: $68
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $157
- Combo 3 tours. Magical and Ancestral Chiapas: $127
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $72
- From San Cristobal City Walking Tour: $38
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $90
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
- Guided Tour at San Cristobal from Ocosingo to Tonina with Snacks: $109
- Magic Private Christmas Tour in San Cristobal: $225
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared: $141
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Asado Argentino and Wineries Experience: $190
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $200
- Atuel Canyon Tour: Discover San Rafael – Mendoza in One Day: $75
- Atuel Canyon: Full Day Tour: $125
- Bike Tour with Winery and Olivicola Tastings: $30
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- Cornelio Moyano Museum of Natural Sciences Private Tour: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $27Mendoza $5.75
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: $31
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $67
- 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Mendoza, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.