Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Mendoza?
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 Mendoza or Guadalajara?
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 Mendoza and Guadalajara. 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: Mendoza or Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Mendoza Prices
Argentina PricesGuadalajara Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMendoza $56Guadalajara $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $56, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $138. 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 Mendoza and Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $43Guadalajara $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $86Guadalajara $76
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Guadalajara? 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: Mendoza Hotel Prices and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $4.18Guadalajara $35
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
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $210
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $89
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $35
- Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Private Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels Safe & Stress-Free: $159
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
- Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara and Mendoza 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 dayMendoza $5.85Guadalajara $75
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: $198
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $200
- Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation: $250
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated : $44
- Guadalajara Private Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $108
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $195
- VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mendoza $23Guadalajara $25
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Rafting and Adrenaline Canopy Mendoza 2 Adventure Activities: $210
- 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 Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $39
- Adventure and Trekking Day in Vallecitos Cordon del Plata: $150
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $190
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $84
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $195
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $197
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Walking Tour Experience in Ajijic Mexico: $50
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $36
- A unique tour! Visiting Hacienda Casa herradura From Guadalajara: $120
- Architecture of Luis Barragan Walking Tour with Street Food: $70
- Bar Tour of the Coolest Quarter of Guadalajara: $17
- Cantaritos and Tequila Factory Tour: $89
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour with "Tres Potrillos Ranch": $65
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Full-Day Tour: $128
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
- City Tour Downtown Guadalajara Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $79
- City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $5.94Guadalajara $16
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
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $50
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Cava In The City Sommelier Led Wine Tastings in Mendoza: $70
- 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
- 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
- Classic Wine Tour with Lunch Experience Top.: $180
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $65
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $95
- Guided Tour of Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery: $105
- Full-Day Tour to La Fortaleza Distillery and Cantaritos: $155
- Private Adventure Day Tour to Tequila and Cazcanes Distillery: $156
- Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $161
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $167
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $211
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mendoza is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Mendoza Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza and Guadalajara, 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.