Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel 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 Cozumel and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Mendoza?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Cozumel Prices
Mexico PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $122Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $122, 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 Cozumel and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $63Mendoza $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $126Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $21Mendoza $4.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $313
- Catena Zapata and El Enemigo Wine Tasting with Private Transfer: $290
- Winery Salentein + Gourmet Lunch in Ruda.Transfer included: $260
- Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia. Private transfer: $260
- Tasting in Enemy; Lunch at Tempus Alba + Private Transfer: $245
- Winery Trapiche + Laur + Lunch in Tempus Alba. Private transfer: $230
- Visita Bodega Huarpe + Almuerzo Bodega Lagarde. Transfer privado: $220
- Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $220
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $200
- Argentine BBQ Experience and Winery Visits.Transfer included: $195
- Visit to 2 Wineries and Lunch Top. Private transfer.: $190
- Visit to Winery and Argentine Asado in Terrace. Transfer included: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $37Mendoza $5.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Argentine BBQ on Terrace with Views. Dinner, Sunset.: $80
- Mendoza Cooking Experience with Unlimited Wine & Cocktails: $95
- Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza: $95
- Bar Safari 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 Night with Full Dinner: $167
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $180
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $185
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $190
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $199
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $40Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 10 Experiences Tour : $200
- 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $78
- 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán : $72
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $55
- ATV Adventour: Jade Cave Cenote, Transportation & Tequila: $87
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern Double: $113
- ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
- ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
- ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $64
- ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
- Adventure Tour Village ATVs Beach with Snorkeling and Villa Maya: $100
- Adventure in Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Cozumel: $90
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley: $102
- 2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included: $185
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared : $115
- Aconcagua Private Full Day Experience : $179
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $188
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Trekking Day in Vallecitos Cordon del Plata: $150
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $190
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $129
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $84
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $10Mendoza $5.94
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
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: $44
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $80
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $89
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
- In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil: $99
- Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting: $115
- Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver: $120
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $130
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $164
- Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza: $180
- Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch: $182
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Mendoza, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.