Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Liberia or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and Mendoza. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Liberia or Mendoza?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
-
Liberia Prices
Costa Rica PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLiberia $128Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $128, 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 Liberia and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Mendoza $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Mendoza $4.18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
-
Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer from Playas del Coco to Liberia Airport (LIR): $90
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Palace Hotel in Guanacaste: $90
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Rio Perdido Resort: $210
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playas del Coco Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa: $148
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $115
- Transfer from Dreams Las Mareas Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
- Transfer Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood or Andaz Papagayo, ROUND TRIP.: $149
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: $11
- Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport (MDZ): $17
- Private Transfer MDZ Airport - Main Town: $20
- 6-Seats Private Transfer in Mendoza with Personal Driver: $21
- MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
- Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer: $22
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $23
- Private Transfer in Mendoza: $25
- One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $33
- Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $36Mendoza $5.85
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
-
Snacks$1.97
-
Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.94
-
Lunch$11
-
Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
-
Ginger Ale$1.28
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $300
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $189
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $140
- 3 In 1 Volcano Hot Springs & Mud Baths And River Floating Tour: $235
- 4-Hour Private Guided ATV Tour in Costa Rica: $122
- 5 Tours in 1 – The Ultimate Volcano Adventure!: $159
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120
- 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness : $78
- ATV Beach Tour: $125
- ATV Tour 2hrs - Dreams Las Mareas: $135
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-guided bike tour of Maipu (Mendoza): $15
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $22
- Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $23
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $24
- Renacer Winery Experience: $25
- City Tour: $25
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- City Tour: $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $34
- Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Half-Day Tour: $34
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $35
- City Tour Mendoza Completo con Chocolatería y Cerro de la Gloria: $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Mendoza $5.94
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 Liberia and Mendoza, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Liberia 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.