Is Mendoza expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Mendoza is moderately priced for international visitors, but Argentine prices and exchange rates change quickly, so costs in your own currency can swing a lot from year to year. Expect about AR$90,000 a day per person on a tight budget (roughly US$60 at the time of writing), about AR$250,000 mid-range and AR$570,000 or more for comfort. Winery visits and lunches, often quoted in US dollars, are where costs climb fastest.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | AR$35,000 | AR$90,000 | AR$225,000 |
| Food & drink | AR$30,000 | AR$60,000 | AR$120,000 |
| Sights & tickets | AR$15,000 | AR$60,000 | AR$135,000 |
| Local transport | AR$8,000 | AR$40,000 | AR$90,000 |
| Per person, per day | AR$88,000 | AR$250,000 | AR$570,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Mendoza day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee and medialunas | a few thousand pesos |
| Simple café lunch | AR$15,000–25,000 |
| Steak dinner with a glass of Malbec | very roughly AR$35,000–60,000 per person |
| Winery tour with tasting | about US$25–60 per person |
| Winery lunch with paired wines | roughly US$60–120 per person |
| City bus or Metrotranvía ride | paid with a rechargeable SUBE card; cheap |
| Taxi from El Plumerillo airport | 20–30 minutes; cheap by European standards |
| Hostel or simple hotel near Plaza Independencia | AR$40,000–70,000 a night |
| Winery lodge in the Uco Valley or Luján | AR$300,000–800,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation varies widely: hostels and simple hotels near Plaza Independencia cost about AR$40,000–70,000 a night, mid-range rooms near Arístides Villanueva or in Chacras de Coria AR$90,000–180,000, and winery lodges AR$300,000–800,000. The biggest variable is wine tourism: tastings cost about US$25–60 per person and long winery lunches US$60–120, and because you cannot drive after tasting, you also pay for a driver, a tour or taxis. City life is cheaper — buses, the Metrotranvía, empanadas and café lunches are good value.
When it is cheaper
Winter (June to August) and late spring outside holiday weekends are usually the quietest and cheapest for hotels. Prices rise around the Vendimia harvest festival in early March, during the March–April harvest season and over Argentine summer holidays in January.
How to spend less
- Check current exchange rates and payment advice before you travel, as the rules have changed often.
- Rent a bicycle in Maipú to visit several wineries on flat roads instead of paying for a driver.
- Plan two or three winery visits a day at most, and book directly on winery websites.
- Make one day a long winery lunch and eat empanadas or café meals on the others.
- Use the SUBE card for city buses and the Metrotranvía to Maipú.
- Book a shared day tour for the Uco Valley or the Andes road rather than a private driver if you travel alone or as a couple.
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Common questions
Is Mendoza expensive?
Moderately. Expect about AR$90,000 a day on a budget (roughly US$60 at the time of writing), about AR$250,000 mid-range and AR$570,000 or more for comfort.
How much is a winery tour in Mendoza?
Tours with tastings usually cost about US$25–60 per person, and winery lunches with paired wines roughly US$60–120.
Can I pay by card in Mendoza?
Yes, cards and contactless payment are widely accepted. Bring some cash for small shops, buses and tips.