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

Should you visit Montevideo or Cusco?

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 Cusco 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 Cusco?

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.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

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 Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Montevideo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $65, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $51. 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 Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $41
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $82
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Cusco? 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 Cusco


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 Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.52
    Cusco $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo City - Montevideo Airport (MVD): $21
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • From 2-Day Guided Trip to Machu Picchu with Transfers: $345
  • Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290
  • Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $208
  • Private Transfer from Valle Sagrado to Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport: $158
  • Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Ollantaytambo: $143
  • Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128
  • Puno Bus Transfer with Buffet Lunch: $109
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo: $100
  • Transfer Cusco - Ollantaytambo train station : $95
  • Private City Tour and Saksaywaman Visit with Transfer: $80
  • Cuzco city or airport to Ollantaytambo train station -Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • From Temple of the Moon Horseback Tour with Transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 $14
    Cusco $13

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
  • Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $200

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.18
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

  • Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
  • Small-Group Virtual Peruvian Cooking Experience: $25
  • CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $50
  • Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
  • Vegetarian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour in Cusco: $58
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience & Pisco Tasting in Cusco : $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $63
  • Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
  • Awamaki Cooking Class: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Cusco $29

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
  • Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $10
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $30
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.72

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

  • 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $75
  • ATV Tour to Moray, Maras and Salar in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: $42
  • City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
  • Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
  • Cusco City Tour I Half-Day: $28
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $90
  • Official Machupicchu Ticket: $96
  • Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
  • Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
  • Sacred Valley Tour in Cusco : $47
  • Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain : $89
  • Tour a la montaña de 7 colores vinicunca 1 dia: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Cusco $9.58

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
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cusco Pub Crawl - Bar Tour Cusco : $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18


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

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Cusco?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Cusco, 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.