Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo or El Calafate?
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 El Calafate 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 El Calafate?
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.
El Calafate
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $61El Calafate $9.55
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $61, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $9.55. 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 El Calafate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38El Calafate $3.24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76El Calafate $6.48
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and El Calafate
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or El Calafate? 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 El Calafate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.02El Calafate $3.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo City - Montevideo Airport (MVD): $19
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $19
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $73
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $27
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $73
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $86
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in El Calafate
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in El Calafate:
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Taxi$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $410
- Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $304
- Laguna de Los Tres Transfer & Self-Guided Hike: $168
- Perito Moreno Glacier Expedition: In & Out Transfer Included: $142
- Shared transfer to El Calafate -El Chaltén: $75
- Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $60
- Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $50
- Roundtrip transfer in Private Car from Calafate Airport (FTE)- Calafate City: $49
- Airport Transfer - Downtown: $26
- Shared Transfer from El Calafate Airport to downtown Hotel: $19
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel in El Calafate: $12
- Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or El Calafate?
Prices for flights to both El Calafate 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 $13El Calafate $3.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $72
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $86
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
- El Milongon Dinner Show: $112
Typical Food Prices in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dessert$0.01
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Dinner$1.71
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Dinner$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $100
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $186
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $200
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $212
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20El Calafate $3.51
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
- Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
- 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: $120
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $120
- Best Tailor Made Montevideo Private Tour - Electric SUV! BMW Opt.: $155
- Best guided shared walking Tour of Montevideo : $40
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
- City tour Montevideo: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in El Calafate
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for El Calafate's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Glacerium Museum$1.32
Tours and Activities in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Argentine Cuisine Experience in El Calafate: $83
- 4WD Adventure in El Calafate with Optional Hike or Zipline: $112
- Adventure Horseback Riding on Cerro Frias: $140
- Blue Safari Experience: Hiking and Navigation on Glaciers: $180
- Boat Tour "Todo Glaciares" from El Calafate (fullday tour) : $199
- Calafate 4-Day Tour: Glaciers, Premium Navigation & Safari: $925
- Calafate City Tour with Walichu Caves: $85
- Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $220
- Calafate: Kayak through Perito Moreno and Walkways Tour: $430
- Chalten full day Trekking - Laguna de los Tres Experience: $210
- Darwin Experience: $208
- Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -El Calafate $1.76
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: $119
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
Typical Alcohol Prices in El Calafate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in El Calafate:
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Beer$0.01
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Alcohol$0.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and El Calafate, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is El Calafate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Calafate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Calafate 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 El Calafate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or El Calafate?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and El Calafate, 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.