Which place is cheaper, Quito or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montevideo or Quito?
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 Quito 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 Quito?
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.
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $61Quito $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $61, while the average daily cost in Quito is $52. 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 Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Quito $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Quito? 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 Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.02Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer in/out to your home!: $20
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Carrasco Airport MVD to Montevideo Hotels Round Trip Transfer: $100
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $100
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $27
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
-
Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Private Transpor for tours, transfers, visits, etc, for 8 hours: $165
- From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $145
- From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $119
- Quito Airport Private Transfer Service: $112
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $100
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
- Transfer in and Transfer out: $75
- Private Transfers Quito to Tena: $65
- Private transfer to Mindo: $56
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito Airport (UIO) - Quito City: $53
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Private transfer in or out Quito airport. Bilingual guide-driver: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito 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 $13Quito $20
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
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $86
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
- El Milongon Dinner Show: $112
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $35
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
- Cooking class In-home space: $75
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $89
- Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
- Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
- Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $230
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Quito $16
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 Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Tourist Bus "Discover Montevideo": $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $27
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Walking tour of Montevideo with a true local guide.: $30
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
- Montevideo : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Otavalo Market Private Sightseeing and Surroundings: $110
- Tour Full-Day Mercado de Otavalo + Cotacachi, Ecuador.: $130
- Tour Quilotoa Loop from Quito: $220
- 2-Day Private Tour from Quito:Baños and Quilotoa Lagoon: $329
- 2-Day Private Tour to Otavalo Market, Cuicocha Lake, Peguche and Condor´s Park: $295
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- 3-Day Private Tour of Quito: $120
- 3-Days Andes & Amazon | Tour From Quito: $868
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- Adventure to Antisana Volcano and Andean Condor in one Day: $160
- All inclusive Quito to Banos 2 day tour: $250
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Quito $17
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: $119
- Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
- The best wine tour: $140
- Montevideo Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $191
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
-
Beers for Two$9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Quito, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Quito.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Quito, 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.