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

Should you visit Montevideo or Cafayate?

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 Cafayate 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 Cafayate?

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.

Cafayate

Cafayate is located in the province of Salta, in the central zone of the Valles Calchaquies. The small town has about 12,000 residents and is 1,329 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

People head to the small town of Cafayate to explore its vineyards and unique rock formations. It has become an important tourist destination in the area and there is a large golf course under construction just outside of town.

Cafayate is an important wine production center. The wines in the area thrive from the low humidity mild weather of the valleys. The town receives less than 250 millimeters of precipitation a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $12. 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 Cafayate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Cafayate $4.43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Cafayate $8.86
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Cafayate

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Cafayate? 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 Cafayate


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 and Cafayate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    Cafayate $2.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Cafayate?

Prices for flights to both Cafayate 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 $13
    Cafayate $4.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

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

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98

Typical Food Prices in Cafayate

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cafayate:


  • Dinner (Empanadas)
    $0.02
  • Sandwich
    $0.01
  • Pizza
    $0.02

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Cafayate $5.19

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

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

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $110
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $110
  • Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
  • City Tour de Montevideo con ingreso al Palacio Legislativo: $65
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
  • Discover Mix of Sightseeing & City Attractions!: $140

Tours and Activities in Cafayate

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

  • From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
  • From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $62
  • From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $134
  • Half-Day Wine Road Premium Tour From Cafayate: $68
  • Tour Quebrada De Las Conchas - Cafayate - Salta: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Cafayate -

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

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

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210


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

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Cafayate?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Cafayate. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Cafayate, 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.