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

Should you visit Montevideo or Pucon?

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 Pucon 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 Pucon?

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.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Montevideo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $65, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $98. 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 Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $41
    Pucon $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $82
    Pucon $84
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Pucon? 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 Pucon


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 $7.52
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Arrival Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Montevideo City in Business Car: $69
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • Carrasco Airport MVD to Montevideo Hotels Round Trip Transfer: $99
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $99
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $73
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $116
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $14
    Pucon $37

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
  • Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Pucon $36

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: $5.20
  • Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $10
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $30
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

Tours and Activities in Pucon

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

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Pucon $26

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
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • 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 Pucon, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Pucon?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Montevideo or Pucon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Pucon.

In the summer, Montevideo is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montevideo in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In the summer, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pucon. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets more rain in January than Pucon. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Pucon in the Autumn?

Both Pucon and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In April, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Pucon. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon and Montevideo during the winter are popular places to visit.

Montevideo is a little warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montevideo usually gets less rain in July than Pucon. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Pucon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Pucon.

In the spring, Montevideo is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montevideo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Pucon. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Montevideo

Montevideo Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)