Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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 La Paz?
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 La Paz 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesLa Paz Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70La Paz $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $56. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $6.99La Paz $9.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo O Punta to Montevideo: $98
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $40
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $41
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $84
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $41
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $79
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport to Montevideo: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $260
- La Paz - Uyuni: Comfortable Private Transfer with Tour Guide: $250
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $209
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $208
- From 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $170
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City: $77
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $68
- Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $52
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City By Van or Suv: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $22La Paz $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Montevideo Street Food Tour With 5 tastings: $64
- 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
- Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
- Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Morning Food Tour with Cable Car & Local Markets: $27
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
- Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
- Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
- Real Street Food Tour with Guide: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20La Paz $16
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
- 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
- Discover Top-Rated Shared Tour for Cruise Passengers: $69
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus from La Paz: $150
- A Textile Tour: Pre-loom weavings: $80
- ATV SIGHTSEEING TOUR: VISIT VALLE DE LA LUNA, VALLE DE ANIMAS, AND MUELA DEL DIABLO: $88
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
- Bike Tour to the Death Road: $125
- Bolivia, climbing tour to Illimani mountain 6,438 m in 3 days/2 nights: $1,900
- Bolivias Iconic Death Road Bike Adventure in La Paz: $79
- Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $22
- Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $38
- Chacaltaya Mountain and Valley of the Moon Tour in La Paz: $35
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- City Tour with Cable Car and Moon Valley Visit: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -La Paz $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
- The best wine tour: $140
- 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 La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Pub Crawl with VIP Entry and Welcome Shot: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and La Paz, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 La Paz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or La Paz?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and La Paz, 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.