Which place is cheaper, Punta del Este or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asuncion or Punta del Este?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Punta del Este, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Asuncion or Punta del Este?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Punta del Este $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Punta del Este is $98. 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 Asuncion and Punta del Este in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Punta del Este $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Punta del Este $110
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Punta del Este
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Punta del Este? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Punta del Este $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Punta del Este?
Prices for flights to both Punta del Este and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17Punta del Este $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Punta del Este $11
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
- Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
- Day tour to “National Park Ybycuí”: $265
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $289
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Punta del Este $7.70
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $157
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Punta del Este, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Punta del Este Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Punta del Este?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Punta del Este, 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.
When is the best time to visit Asuncion or Punta del Este?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Asuncion or Punta del Este in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Punta del Este.
In January, Asuncion is generally a little warmer than Punta del Este. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 29°C (84°F), and Punta del Este fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In Asuncion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives less sunshine than Punta del Este during summer. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryAsuncion 29°C (84°F)Punta del Este 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Punta del Este in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Punta del Este.
Asuncion is a little warmer than Punta del Este in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Punta del Este fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 171 hours of full sun.
Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Asuncion usually gets more rain in April than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilAsuncion 24°C (75°F)Punta del Este 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Punta del Este in the Winter?
Both Punta del Este and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Asuncion is much warmer than Punta del Este. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asuncion in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Punta del Este averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Punta del Este during winter. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Asuncion usually receives less rain than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyAsuncion 19°C (66°F)Punta del Este 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Punta del Este in the Spring?
Both Punta del Este and Asuncion during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Asuncion is generally much warmer than Punta del Este. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta del Este fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asuncion. In the spring, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 248 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets more rain in October than Punta del Este. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberAsuncion 25°C (77°F)Punta del Este 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Punta del Este and Asuncion
| Asuncion | Punta del Este | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
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.