Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tulum or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Mendoza can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Mendoza?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Mendoza $7.36
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Mendoza $2.79
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Mendoza $5.58
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Mendoza $1.46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $20
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $27
- Mendoza to Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ)- Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $30
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $39
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $80
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $80
- Tour of 3 Top Wineries in Lujan and Maipu. Transfer Included: $100
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Lujan de Cuyo / Maipu: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Mendoza $3.29
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
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:
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $137
- 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
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
- Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Mendoza $2.08
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
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
- Half Day Winery Tour: $45
- From High Andes Aconcagua Mountain Tour: $46
- Discover Villavicencio Natural Reserve: Half-Day Adventure: $51
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Mendoza $1.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
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:
- 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
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
- Intimate Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $215
- Luján Wine Tasting Guided Experience with Lunch: $230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Mendoza, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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.