Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
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 Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
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.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesGalapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Galapagos Islands $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $160. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Galapagos Islands $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Galapagos Islands
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Galapagos Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.04Galapagos Islands $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $119
- Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo O Punta to Montevideo: $114
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $80
- Carrasco Airport(MVD) to Montevideo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $70
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Shared One-Way Transfer: Airport ↔ Hotel: $49
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in + Visit to the giant turtle nature reserve: $205
- Transfer Airport - Hotel in Santa Cruz including a Highlands Tour: $175
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $137
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $137
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Galapagos Islands?
Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 $22Galapagos Islands $55
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 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Galapagos Islands $35
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- “Discovering Montevideo” – Shared Small-Group Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
- Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $36
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Authentic Uruguayan Roast Experience in Montevideo: $115
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $450
- Bodega Santa Rosa: Passadore Family Tasting Tour with Lunch: $86
- Bouza Winery Full Experience (Tasting and Lunch): $235
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Club Atlético Peñarol Match Live Experience: $157
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
- Complete Tour of Uruguay: $1,455
- Cruise-Friendly Shared Tour: Explore Montevideo’s Best: $69
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist: $179
- BiciTour Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Cabo Rosa (Tuneles) Hiking & Snorkeling Tour from Isabela: $199
- Daily diving tour in Gordon Rocks: $280
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Highland Tour and Snorkeling: $259
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Snorkeling and Fishing: $259
- Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos: $269
- Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing: $211
- Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing: $229
- Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling: $269
- Full Day Floreana Tour: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Galapagos Islands $15
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands Expensive?.
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.