Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Puerto Vallarta?
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 Vallarta 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 Vallarta?
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 Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
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 Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70Puerto Vallarta $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $128. 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 Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Puerto Vallarta $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.06Puerto Vallarta $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Airport (MVD): $21
- Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel Y Hotel - Aero: $22
- MVD Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $24
- Montevideo Airport Transfers: $33
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $42
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Montevideo Airport (MVD): $42
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- PVR VIP Round trip transfer Airport Conrad Punta Mita Airport: $299
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $184
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Sayulita hotels - Private Arrival Transfer: $155
- Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer : $155
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta Port-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $143
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta hotels: $141
- Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer : $140
- Private transfer round trip Vallarta Airport to your hotel in a luxury vehicle: $129
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) for 4-7 people to Nayarit: $102
- Airport-Hotel Transfers: $89
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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
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Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $22Puerto Vallarta $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
- Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $107
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $108
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours : $59
- Winner 2025 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $89
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $95
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
- Market Visit and Mexican Cooking Class: $106
- Private Mexican Cooking Class & Tequila Cocktail at Tanya’s Home: $108
- Authentic Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Local Chef, Manu: $119
- Puerto Vallarta- Market tour and Cooking Experience : $134
- Rhythms of the night, sunset cruise, open bar & oceanfront dinner: $159
- Night Rhythms - Alma - Show and Dinner in Puerto Vallarta: $209
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Puerto Vallarta $17
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
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Complete Half-Day Tour with Guide and 6 Stops: $20
- Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
- Half-Day City Tour with Live Guide: $25
- Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Tour and tasting at Bodega Santa Rosa: $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- 1/2 Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden tour: $50
- 2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $98
- 2 Hour and 30 Minutes Walking Tour in 5 De Diciembre: $45
- 3 hours private snorkeling tour in Misaloya, Puerto Vallarta: $275
- 4-Hour Whale Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta: $119
- ALL INCLUSIVE Snorkeling and Zipline Cruise: $85
- ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $105
- ATV Doble in Puerto Vallarta Mountain and Waterfall Tour: $120
- ATV Jorullo Bridge Tour: $174
- ATV Single Jungle Adventure-Waterfalls, Tequila & Local Culture": $105
- ATV Tour: $129
- ATV Tour Off Road And Waterfall: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Puerto Vallarta $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $116
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $225
- Montevideo Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $226
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $18
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Mexican Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Puerto Vallarta?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Puerto Vallarta, 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.
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.