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

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $68, while the average daily cost in Cali is $29. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $37
    Cali $5.71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $74
    Cali $11
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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Cali


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $6.78
    Cali $5.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
  • Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer Montevideo (MVD) to City: $40
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $84
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $79
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $79
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $41
  • Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel Y Hotel - Aero: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.95

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: $236
  • City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $228
  • Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $172
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
  • Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
  • Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $93
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $71
  • Alfonso Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Hotel Zone to Cali Airport: $39

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $22
    Cali $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

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

  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $95
  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
  • Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $104
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $110

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: $22
  • Street Food Tour: $29
  • Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $51
  • Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
  • Tradicional Pacific Colombian Cooking Class: $63
  • Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $19
    Cali $10

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

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

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
  • Punta del Este, City Tour from Montevideo: $140
  • Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best Montevideo Experience for Cruisers‐ Small Shared Group : $65
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $205
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for cruise-ship passengers: $450
  • Best private tour of Montevideo designed for cruise passengers: $200
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Colonia & Montevideo from Buenos Aires - Private 2 Day Tour: $1,560
  • Complete Tour of Uruguay: $1,424

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking Tour through Cali : $68
  • A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
  • Afro Walking Tour. The colors of Cali.: $38
  • Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $140
  • CITY TOUR OF CALI | Discover with local experts Cali: $170
  • Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
  • Cali Bike Park Private Tour on E Bike: $130
  • Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $160
  • Cali City Tour: $224
  • Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $53
  • Cali Private City Tour with Salsa Lesson, Museums or Food: $101
  • Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Cali $8.05

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

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

  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $116
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
  • 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:

  • Salsa Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
  • Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $43
  • 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.