A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Medellin vs. Mendoza for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Medellin or Mendoza?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Medellin 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: Medellin or Mendoza?

Medellin

In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.

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 Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Medellin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Medellin is $29, 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 Medellin and Mendoza in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Medellin $4.64
    Mendoza $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Medellin $9.28
    Mendoza $86
Compare Hotels in Medellin and Mendoza

Looking for a hotel in Medellin 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.

Hotels in Medellin


Hotels in Mendoza


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: Medellin Hotel Prices and Mendoza Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Medellin $4.05
    Mendoza $4.18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $65
  • Transfer from Medellin - Airport OR from Airport - Medellin: $49
  • Transfer airport JMC - Medellin or vice versa - Private : $39
  • Seamless Transfer: JMC (MDE) Airport ↔ El Peñol & Guatapé: $289
  • Private tour transfer from Medellin to JMC airport, or: $25
  • Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $69
  • Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $49
  • Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
  • Private Transfer José María Cordova Airport in Medellín: $38
  • Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
  • Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 6-Seats Private Transfer in Mendoza with Personal Driver: $21
  • Argentine BBQ Experience and Winery Visits.Transfer included: $195
  • Catena Zapata and El Enemigo Wine Tasting with Private Transfer: $290
  • Classic Wine Tour with Winery Roast. Private Transfer.: $220
  • Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $103
  • Distillery Gin + Lunch in Winery with Private Transfer.: $160
  • Essential Wine and Lunch. Private Transfer: $100
  • Luján de Cuyo/ Maipú Wineries. Full Day. Transfer.: $115
  • MDZ Airport Private Transfer to Mendoza City Center: $22
  • Mendoza Airport (MDZ) to Mendoza - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $67
  • Mendoza Airport Departure Transfer: $34
  • Mendoza Airport Shuttle Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Medellin or Mendoza?

Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Medellin 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 day
    Medellin $16
    Mendoza $5.85
Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
  • Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
  • Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
  • A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
  • Laureles Food Tour: $35
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
  • Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
  • Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
  • Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
  • Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
  • Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $64

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.
    Medellin $12
    Mendoza $23

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Atv or quats Tour adventure Quads tour in MEDELLÍN : $90
  • Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $251
  • Historical Tour in Pablo Escobar : $35
  • Medellin City Private Tour: $85
  • 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
  • 2 Days Medellin autentic Coffee Farm Experience : $225
  • 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
  • 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
  • 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
  • 4x4 ATV Adventure from Medellin with Scenic Views, Lunch & Pickup: $120
  • 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $140
  • 9-Hour Full Day Tour of Pablo Escobar Including C13, Museum and Barrio PE: $245

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
  • City Tour of Mendoza: $25
  • City Tour: $25
  • Renacer Winery Experience: $25
  • City Tour: $25
  • Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Half-Day Tour: $34
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $34
  • City Tour Mendoza Completo con Chocolatería y Cerro de la Gloria: $35
  • Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Medellin $7.04
    Mendoza $5.94

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
  • Medellin Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks Games and VIP: $12
  • Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
  • The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
  • Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
  • Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $130
  • NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175

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 Medellin and Mendoza, we can see that Mendoza is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Mendoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mendoza than you might in Medellin.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Medellin Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Medellin or Mendoza?

Medellin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Medellin 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.