Which place is cheaper, Leon 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 Leon?
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 Leon 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 Leon?
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.
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesLeon Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Leon $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Leon is $68. 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 Leon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Leon $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Leon
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Leon? 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 Leon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.01Leon $1.50
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: $40
- 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 Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $81
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Leon?
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 $22Leon $21
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: $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
- Volcano Boarding Sunset Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $50
- Cooking Class Private Tour: $55
- Leon City: Cooking Class: $55
- Nicaraguan Cooking Class with a Local Family at Leon City: $60
- León - Niaragua: Private Cooking Class with Local Family: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Leon $5.80
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
- Montevideo Audio guided walking tour 3h and 19 audio commentary: $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
- Experience the Local Magic at a Bohemian Nightclub with a Live Show: $20
- Complete Half-Day Tour with Guide and 6 Stops: $20
- Montevideo Full Unique Tour Includes Barrio Carrasco: $23
- Half-Day City Tour with Live Guide: $25
- Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo: $25
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $1,205
- Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding Adventure from León: $90
- Half Day Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $69
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour": $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour: $120
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- León off the beaten track: authentic tour with a live local guide (100% in French): $13
- León’s Enchanting Streets Stroll : Private Romantic Tour: $482
- León’s Enchanting Streets Stroll : Romantic Private Walking Tour: $292
- León: Central Market Food Tasting Tour: $33
- León: Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding Adventure with Pickup: $72
- Leon City Walking Private Tour: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Leon $3.52
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
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and Leon, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montevideo is in South America and Leon is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Leon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Leon?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Leon, 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.
When is the best time to visit Montevideo or Leon?
Montevideo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montevideo or Leon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Leon. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
In the summer, Montevideo is cooler than Leon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montevideo in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Leon averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In the summer, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Leonin July. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Leon. Montevideo usually gets less rain in January than Leonin July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Leon in the Autumn?
Both Leon and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Montevideo is generally much colder than Leonin October. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Leon during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Leonin October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Leon in the Winter?
Both Leon and Montevideo during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
Montevideo is much colder than Leon in the winter. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Leon fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Montevideo often gets less sunshine than Leonin January. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 244 hours of full sun.
Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Leonin January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Leon 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Leon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Leon. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Montevideo is much colder than Leon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montevideo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Leon averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leon during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Leonin April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Leon 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Leon and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Leon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.