A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Buzios for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or Buzios?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Buzios can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Montevideo or Buzios?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, and The Best Eco Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Buzios or Montevideo?

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 Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Buzios is $94. 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 Montevideo and Buzios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $38
    Buzios $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $76
    Buzios $74
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Buzios

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Buzios? 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 Montevideo


Hotels in Buzios


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.01
    Buzios $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
  • Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $124
  • Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo O Punta to Montevideo: $99
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $90
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $85
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $81
  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $70
  • Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
  • Shared One-Way Transfer: Airport ↔ Hotel: $49
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230
  • Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $188
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $117
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $117
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $90
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Buzios?

Prices for flights to both Buzios and Montevideo 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
    Montevideo $22
    Buzios $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Best Montevideo Street Food Tour With 5 tastings: $65
  • Private Uruguayan Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
  • Uruguayan Wine Pairing Dinner at City Winery Uruguay: $90
  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
  • Dinner and Tango Show at Primuseum Restaurant: $100
  • Dinner and Tango Show at the Historic Bar Fun Fun, Established in 1895: $100
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $107
  • Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
  • Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $20
    Buzios $26

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • “Discovering Montevideo” – Shared Small-Group Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
  • Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $36
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $450
  • Bodega Santa Rosa: Passadore Family Tasting Tour with Lunch: $86
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Club Atlético Peñarol Match Live Experience: $157
  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
  • Complete Tour of Uruguay: $1,455
  • Cruise-Friendly Shared Tour: Explore Montevideo’s Best: $69
  • Discover Top-Rated Shared Tour for Cruise Passengers: $69
  • Enjoy Private Tour Montevideo Your Way: $78

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $39
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $105
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $112
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $34
  • Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $64
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
  • Diving Experience In Buzios: $162
  • Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Buzios $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Bodega Pizzorno wine tasting in Montevideo: $45
  • Wine tasting of 4 wines from 4 wineries & empanadas in Montevideo: $50
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Buzios, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios than you might in Montevideo.

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Buzios?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Buzios, 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.