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

Should you visit Montevideo or Paracas?

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 Paracas 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 Paracas?

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Montevideo Prices
    Uruguay Prices
    Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montevideo $70
    Paracas $87

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $87. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $38
    Paracas $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $76
    Paracas $50
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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 Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.01
    Paracas $20

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 Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $218
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $218
  • Candelabro Geoglyph Kayak Tour with hotel transfer: $130
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $24
  • National Reserve Guided Tour with Transfers: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $22
    Paracas $44

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 Paracas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.

  • Hidden Gems of Pisco: Food Tour & Tuk-Tuk Adventure: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $20
    Paracas $27

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 Paracas

Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Day Classic Paracas Tour Package: $245
  • ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $35
  • Adventure in Ballestas Islands and Quad bike in Paracas: $55
  • All-Inclusive Tour of the Uros Islands + Taquile + Amantaní (2D/1N): $97
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas & Paracas Reserve from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $100
  • Ballestas & Tambo Colorado from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $110
  • Ballestas Island Boat tour from Paracas: $16
  • Ballestas Islands : Round Trip from Pisco Cruise Port: $50
  • Ballestas Islands Boat Tour in Paracas: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Paracas $12

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Paracas?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 1060 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Paracas, 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.