Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
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 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Puerto Madryn $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 personMontevideo $39Puerto Madryn $5.25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Puerto Madryn $11
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.
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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Puerto Madryn $3.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo City - Montevideo Airport (MVD): $21
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- 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
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
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 dayMontevideo $13Puerto Madryn $5.69
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 $21Puerto Madryn $5.77
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
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- City Sightseeing Tour: $32
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $33
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
-
Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
- Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
- Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
- Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- From Florentino Ameghino Dam Day Tour: $194
- From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $152
- From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $130
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $105
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Puerto Madryn $3.13
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 Puerto Madryn, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo than you might in Puerto Madryn.
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 JanuaryMontevideo 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 AprilMontevideo 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 JulyMontevideo 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 OctoberMontevideo 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) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.