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

Should you visit Montevideo or Puerto Montt?

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 Montt 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 Montt?

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 Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $41
    Puerto Montt $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $82
    Puerto Montt $120
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Puerto Montt

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Puerto Montt? 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 Montt


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 Montt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.52
    Puerto Montt $6.28

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 Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $300
  • Transfer Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $277
  • 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
  • Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) to Pucon - Arrival Transfer: $116
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $80
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
  • Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Puerto Montt?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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
    Puerto Montt $21

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
    Puerto Montt $13

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 Puerto Montt

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

  • 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
  • Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
  • Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $118
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $50
  • Frutillar Tour: $31
  • Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
  • Private Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas: $250
  • Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $143
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Vicente Peres Rosales National Park: $164

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Puerto Montt $4.39

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 Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Puerto Montt?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Puerto Montt, 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 Montt?

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 Montt in the Summer?

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

In January, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Puerto Montt, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the summer, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?

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

Montevideo is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Montt in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Montevideo is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Montevideo usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Montt in the Spring?

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

In October, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Montevideo

Montevideo Puerto Montt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)