A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Montanita for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or Montanita?

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 Montanita 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 Montanita?

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.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Montanita $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Montanita

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Montanita? 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Montanita


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    Montanita $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Montanita?

Prices for flights to both Montanita 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $13
    Montanita $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Montanita $31

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $110
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $110
  • Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
  • City Tour de Montevideo con ingreso al Palacio Legislativo: $65
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
  • Discover Mix of Sightseeing & City Attractions!: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Montanita $7.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Montevideo or Montanita?

Montevideo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Montevideo or Montanita in the Summer?

Both Montanita and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Montevideo is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Montanitain July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Montanita 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Montanita in the Autumn?

Both Montanita and Montevideo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.

In the autumn, Montevideo is much colder than Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.

In the autumn, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Montanitain October. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually gets more rain in April than Montanitain October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Montanita 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Montanita in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Montevideo is generally much colder than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Montanitain January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Montanita in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.

Montevideo is much colder than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In the spring, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Montanitain April. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.

Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Montevideo usually gets more rain in October than Montanitain April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Montanita and Montevideo

Montevideo Montanita
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)