Which place is cheaper, Punta del Este or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata or Punta del Este?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between La Plata and Punta del Este can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Punta del Este?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $8.62Punta del Este $98
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 La Plata and Punta del Este in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47Punta del Este $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94Punta del Este $110
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Punta del Este
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47Punta del Este $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Punta del Este?
Prices for flights to both Punta del Este and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37Punta del Este $31
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $2.16Punta del Este $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
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 dayLa Plata $1.20Punta del Este $7.70
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 La Plata and Punta del Este, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Punta del Este Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Punta del Este?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata 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 La Plata or Punta del Este in the Summer?
Both Punta del Este and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, La Plata is around the same temperature as Punta del Este. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Plata in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta del Este averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Punta del Este during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, La Plata usually receives more rain than Punta del Este. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 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 JanuaryLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Punta del Este 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Punta del Este in the Autumn?
Both Punta del Este and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, La Plata is generally around the same temperature as Punta del Este. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (65°F), and Punta del Este fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Punta del Este. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 171 hours of full sun.
La Plata usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Punta del Este. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 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 AprilLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Punta del Este 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Punta del Este in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Punta del Este.
La Plata is a little warmer than Punta del Este in the winter. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Punta del Este fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Punta del Este during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, La Plata usually receives less rain than Punta del Este. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 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 JulyLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Punta del Este 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Punta del Este in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Punta del Este.
In the spring, La Plata is around the same temperature as Punta del Este. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Plata in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Punta del Este averages at about 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Punta del Este. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 248 hours of full sun.
La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets more rain in October than Punta del Este. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 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 OctoberLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Punta del Este 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Punta del Este and La Plata
| La Plata | Punta del Este | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.