Which place is cheaper, Cali or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Cali?
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 Cali 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 Cali?
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.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Cali $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Cali is $33. 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 Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Cali $6.37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Cali $13
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Cali? 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.04Cali $5.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo O Punta to Montevideo: $91
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $90
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $40
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $273
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $250
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $183
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $183
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $174
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $174
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by car: $131
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46
- Alfonso Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali 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
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Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $22Cali $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Montevideo Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $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
- Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $250
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $24
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Cali $11
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 Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $210
- 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
- Culinary Experience Making Alfajores in Montevideo: $85
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Afro Walking Tour. The colors of Cali.: $40
- Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $140
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
- Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $149
- Cali City Tour: $224
- Cali Day Tour to San Cipriano. Rivers, witches and waterfalls: $140
- Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $56
- Cali Food Market Tour Galería Alameda with Exotic Tastings: $29
- Cali Private City Tour with Salsa Lesson, Museums or Food: $107
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $64
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (Pance): $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Cali $8.98
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
- Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $125
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Friday Night Street Salsa and Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $30
- Friday Salsa Bar Crawl in Cali - Culture Nightlife Experience: $32
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Cali, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Cali, 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.
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.