Should you visit Montevideo or Lima?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Montevideo and Lima can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
Which city is cheaper, Lima or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $45, while the average daily cost in Lima is $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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $56 for a double occupancy room in Montevideo If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $70 for a double occupancy room in Lima.
Food
Food in Montevideo costs travelers about $9.69 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
On average, meal and food prices in Lima cost around $13 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $5.20.
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Food
Meals for one day
Montevideo $9.69
Lima $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.:
$75
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El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo:
$105
Typical Food prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two
$3.87
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Ice cream
$3.14
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Coffee
$2.66
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Donut
$0.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
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Virtual Peruvian Cooking Class "Lomo Saltado":
$18
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Dancing Horse Show & Dinner Buffet & Barranco Night Tour:
$46
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#1 Lima Food Tour and Local Markets (Small Group):
$46
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#1 Dancing Horse Show & Dinner Buffet & Barranco Night Tour:
$46
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Delicious Food Tour through Local Markets:
$46
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#1 Peruvian Food Tour through Local Markets (Small Group):
$46
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Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant:
$49
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Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima:
$52
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3–Hour Restaurant Dinner and Show Experience:
$55
-
Dinner Show and Exhibition of Peruvian Horse including Pick up & drop off:
$55
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Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets:
$55
-
Magic Water Circuit, Dinner & Show in Lima:
$56
Local Transportation
Montevideo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.26 per person, per day on transportation in Montevideo.
The cost of a taxi ride in Lima is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.29 per person, per day, on local transportation in Lima.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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TRANSFER IN/OUT (Airport, Port (MVD) - Hotel in MVD - Airport, Port (MVD)):
$20
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Private Transfer Montevideo Airport:
$20
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Transfer Airport to Hotel Regular:
$20
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TRANSFER IN - OUT (Airport or Port / Hotel) - private transfer:
$25
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Montevideo Airport Transfers:
$25
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Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers:
$28
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Transfer MV Uruguay:
$37
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Private Airport Transfer: Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$40
-
Private Airport Transfer: Montevideo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD):
$40
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car:
$46
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Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo:
$50
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PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out:
$60
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride
$4.83
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Taxi Ride
$4.83
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Short Taxi Ride
$3.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
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Nazca lines private transfer from Lima:
$790
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LIMA - PERÚ, 4 Days and 3 Nights + acommodation *** + Transfer + 4 tours IN LIMA:
$559
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Private transfer from Lima Airport to Paracas (price per vehicle):
$490
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Nazca lines tour private transfer to Nazca:
$490
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Private transfer from Lima city to Paracas (price per vehicle):
$480
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From Palomino Islands Cruise & Swimming with Sea Lions with Transfers:
$125
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Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour:
$89
-
Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel:
$80
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Round trip private transfer to Lima Airport:
$80
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Private Transfer from Lima Airport to hotels in Miraflores or Viceversa:
$79
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Palomino Islands Swim with sea lions Lima with Transfers included.:
$75
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One-Way Transfer between Lima Airport & Hotels in Miraflores:
$68
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Montevideo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Lima typically cost an average of $6.17 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
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Ramble through Montevideo's culture and history with this audio walking tour:
$5.20
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Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket:
$8.00
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Half-Day Shared City Tour of Montevideo AM:
$19
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Tour Montevideo Panoramico:
$23
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Walking Tour Parque Rodo: Idiosyncrasy and art of Uruguay:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$28
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Montevideo Tourist Bus:
$31
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The Best Montevideo City Tour:
$33
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Full-Day City Tour of Punta del Este from Montevideo:
$33
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From Punta del Este Full-Day Tour:
$39
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Montevide Bike Tour:
$40
Typical Entertainment prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
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#1 Artsy & Cultural Barranco Walking tour (Small Group):
$30
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#1 Artsy Barranco & Lima City Tour (Small Group):
$60
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#1 Beautiful Fountains Park & Light Show - Night Tour (Small Group):
$30
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#1 City Tour by Night & Magic Fountains Park - Light Show (Small Group):
$34
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#1 City Tour in Lima from the Airport (private service):
$46
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#1 Lima City Tour - Lunch & Pachacamac Archaeological site (Small Group):
$80
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#1 Lima Walking City Tour (Small Group):
$30
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#1 Lunahuana Valley & Rafting Experience - from Lima (Small Group):
$140
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#1 Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro Tour (Small Group):
$34
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#1 Sandboarding - Buggy Tour & Huacachina Oasis - from Lima (Small Group):
$146
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#1 The Gold Museum of Peru & Lima City tour (Small Group):
$80
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#1 The Gold Museum of Peru Tour (Small Group):
$40
Alcohol
The average person spends about $3.49 on alcoholic beverages in Lima per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
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Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo:
$75
-
Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people):
$80
-
Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers:
$89
-
Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo:
$103
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Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people):
$105
-
Juanico Wine Tour Lunch:
$120
-
Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
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Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch:
$182
-
Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay:
$205
-
Private Montevideo Wine Tour & Flight Tour:
$259
Typical Alcohol prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine
$6.50
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Beer
$3.62
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Cocktail
$2.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
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Lima 3.5-Hour Pisco Pub Crawl:
$25
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Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour (Unique Experience):
$226
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Mysterious Nazca Lines, Overflight from Ica, Huacachina Oasis & Wine Tour!:
$490
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Montevideo.
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