Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or San Miguel de Tucuman?
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 Miguel de Tucuman or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: San Miguel de Tucuman or Mendoza?
San Miguel de Tucuman
The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, The Best 10-Day Tours in Argentina, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina.
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San Miguel de Tucuman Prices
Argentina PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Miguel de Tucuman $50Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in San Miguel de Tucuman is $50, 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 San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Miguel de Tucuman $37Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Miguel de Tucuman $74Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in San Miguel de Tucuman 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Miguel de Tucuman $2.36Mendoza $4.15
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
- Transportation around Mendoza or others states!!! Trips.. transfers: $35
- Termas Cacheuta Water Park with transfer: $50
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $260
- Private Wine, Empanadas and Choripán Tour with Transfers: $120
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Lujan de Cuyo: $45
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $11
- Private Transfer in Mendoza I Personal Driver: $30
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $38
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $38
- Private One Way Transfer from Mendoza Airport to Hotel: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into San Miguel de Tucuman or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and San Miguel de Tucuman 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 Miguel de Tucuman $5.32Mendoza $5.80
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
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $99
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- 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
- 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
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Casa Vigil (the enemy) + Dinner + Guided tour: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Miguel de Tucuman $25Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Afternoon in the Valleys El Mollar and Tafi del Valle Tour: $65
- Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $130
- Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
- Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $130
- Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $85
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Lunch. Private Transport: $130
- 3 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Private Transport: $100
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour with 34 Traditional Argentine Flavors: $95
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $132
- Aconcagua & Puente del Inca Full Day Tour from Mendoza with Lunch: $110
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $242
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Relaxation in Mendoza Rafting and Cacheuta Springs: $237
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Miguel de Tucuman $7.93Mendoza $5.90
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
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $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
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $95
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
When comparing the travel costs between San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza, we can see that Mendoza is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Miguel de Tucuman or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of San Miguel de Tucuman. When comparing the sizes of San Miguel de Tucuman 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.