Which place is cheaper, Ensenada 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 Ensenada?
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 Ensenada 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 Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Ensenada $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $122. 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 Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Ensenada $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Ensenada $90
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.04Ensenada $20
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: $70
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $41
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Carrasco Airport MVD to Montevideo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Montevideo to Carrasco Airport (MVD) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared One-Way Transfer: Airport ↔ Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel O Hotel - Aero: $23
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport to Montevideo: $40
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Private transfer from Ensenada to Tijuana Airport: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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 $22Ensenada $64
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 Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Ensenada $10
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: $5.00
- El Juguetero Museum Entry Ticket: $7.00
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Guided Tour of the National Hat Factory: $10
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Complete Half-Day Tour with Guide and 6 Stops: $20
- Experience the Local Magic at a Bohemian Nightclub with a Live Show: $20
- Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
- Montevideo Jogging Tour: $25
- Bodegas Carrau Winery Tour with Tastings: $25
- Half-Day City Tour with Live Guide: $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo: $25
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Mountain Tour: $78
- ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
- ATV'S on the Mountain with Ocean View Private Tour: $110
- Adventure Tour in Kayak at La Bufadora with Lobster, Oyster Feast: $150
- Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
- Adventure+ Relax: Zipline or ATV + Massage with Port Pickup: $145
- Best Sites: Blowhole+ City Tour, Tacos Custom Shore Excurison: $47
- Canadas Zipline Canopy Tour Bufadora with Private Port Pick up: $114
- Canopy Tour and ATV Tour In Ensenada: $210
- Canopy Tour and Flea Market: $154
- Canopy Ziplines Tour in Las Cañadas Private Tour: $89
- Ensenada City Highlights Tour with Local Guide and Food Options: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Ensenada $11
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 Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine tasting in private gardens overlooking the vineyards: $55
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $59
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Wine Tasting Among Vineyards with Panoramic Views of the Valley: $65
- Wine Tour Guadalupe Valley /Loreta Restaurant Fire and Smoke: $99
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $118
- Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour: $118
- Private Valle Wine Experience: All Wine Tastings Included: $136
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $150
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Ensenada?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Ensenada, 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.