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

Should you visit Montevideo or Copacabana?

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 Copacabana 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 Copacabana?

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.

Copacabana

Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Copacabana 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 Copacabana is $42. 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 Copacabana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Copacabana $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Copacabana

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana


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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    Copacabana $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • Carrasco Airport MVD to Montevideo Hotels Round Trip Transfer: $98
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $85
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Copacabana?

Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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
    Copacabana $17

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 Copacabana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:


  • Lunch
    $3.61
  • Sandwich
    $1.16

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Copacabana $19

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

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

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $33
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

Tours and Activities in Copacabana

Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $300
  • From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
  • Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz: $100
  • Full day tour of Copacabana and Sun Island: $90
  • Titicaca Lake & Isla del Sol Catamaran Tour: $293
  • Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Copacabana $12

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
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:


  • Wine
    $2.89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Copacabana, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Copacabana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Copacabana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copacabana 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 Copacabana.

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Copacabana?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Copacabana, 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.