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

Should you visit Montevideo or Puerto Madryn?

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 Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn?

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Montevideo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $60. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $38
    Puerto Madryn $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $76
    Puerto Madryn $80
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn


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 $6.99
    Puerto Madryn $2.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel O Hotel - Aero: $23
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Montevideo to Carrasco Airport (MVD) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $40
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport to Montevideo: $40
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $41
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Private Transfer to or from Puerto Madryn or Trelew Airport: $100
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn: $49
  • Transfer Trelew Airport Puerto Madryn: $40
  • Puerto Madryn Airport PMY Private Transfer to Puerto Madryn City: $33
  • Transfer El Tehuelche Airport Puerto Madryn: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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
    Puerto Madryn $7.55

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: $64
  • 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
  • Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
  • Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $20
    Puerto Madryn $44

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
  • 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
  • Complete Half-Day Tour with Guide and 6 Stops: $20
  • Experience the Local Magic at a Bohemian Nightclub with a Live Show: $20
  • Montevideo Full Unique Tour Includes Barrio Carrasco: $23
  • Half-Day City Tour with Live Guide: $25
  • Montevideo Jogging Tour: $25
  • Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo: $25

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:

  • 3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • All Included Península Valdés Experience Shore Tour: $169
  • Bike Tour Whales in Playa Doradillo: $64
  • Bike Tour to El Doradillo: Whales from the Coast: $75
  • Cruise Passengers: Peninsula Valdés With Ticket Included: $170
  • Cruise Passengers: Puerto Madryn City Tour & Punta Loma: $115
  • Cruise Shore Exc. Ea San Lorenzo (Penguins) Box Lunch Incl.: $179
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $179
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Box Lunch Included: $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Pta Tombo (Penguins): $115
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Puerto Madryn City Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Puerto Madryn -

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
  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $125
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450


When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and Puerto Madryn, 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Puerto Madryn?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?

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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

Both Puerto Madryn and Montevideo during the summer are popular places to visit.

Montevideo is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Montevideo usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madryn. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Puerto Madryn.

In the autumn, Montevideo is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Puerto Madryn.

In July, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Madryn. In the winter, Montevideo often gets less sunshine than Puerto Madryn. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madryn. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

Both Puerto Madryn and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Montevideo is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Montevideo

Montevideo Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)