Should you visit Montevideo or Quito?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Montevideo and Quito can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Quito or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $46, while the average daily cost in Quito is $41. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $56 for a double occupancy room in Montevideo If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $18. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Quito the cost is $36 on average.
Food
Food in Montevideo costs travelers about $9.73 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
In Quito travelers spend around $16 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Montevideo $9.73
Quito $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.:
$75
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El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo:
$105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
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Quito Like a Local Cooking Class:
$75
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Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English):
$78
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Quito Best Markets and Local Food Tour:
$81
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Quito Top Ecuadorian Food Tour and Canelazo at “La Ronda”:
$87
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Quito Cooking Class:
$89
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Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer:
$90
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Ecuadorian Cooking Class in Quito + Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting:
$102
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Quito Culinary Tour and Cooking Class:
$105
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Gourmet Cooking Class in Historic Quito + Market Tour with Chef Pancho:
$120
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Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses (PRIVATE DAY TOUR):
$149
Local Transportation
Montevideo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.29 per person, per day on transportation in Montevideo.
The average price of local transportation around Quito is $5.59 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers:
$28
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Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo:
$50
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car:
$69
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car:
$46
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus:
$217
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Montevideo Airport Transfers:
$25
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PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out:
$60
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PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out:
$110
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PACK 3: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Colonia - Transfer out:
$190
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Private Airport Transfer: Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$40
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Private Airport Transfer: Montevideo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD):
$40
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Private Arrival Transfer: Montevideo Airport to Hotel:
$70
Typical Local Transportation prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
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8-Day Tour of Galapagos and Quito Including Hotels and Transfers:
$1,318
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7-Day Tour of Galapagos and Quito Including Hotel and Transfers:
$1,240
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Private transfer: Quito to Quito International Airport (UIO):
$622
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Private transfer: Quito International Airport (UIO) to Quito:
$622
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2-Night Quito Experience: Transfer, Tour and Mariscal Accommodation:
$140
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transfer airport to hotel in Quito or from Quito to airport:
$117
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Quito Airport Private Transfer Service:
$112
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Private transfers To Mindo:
$96
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Private transfer in or out Quito airport. Bilingual guide-driver:
$80
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Transfer IN & OUT of Quito:
$80
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Transfer IN & OUT of Quito:
$75
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Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito City:
$73
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Montevideo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Quito's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
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Ramble through Montevideo's culture and history with this audio walking tour:
$5.20
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Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket:
$8.00
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Half-Day Shared City Tour of Montevideo AM:
$19
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Tour Montevideo Panoramico:
$23
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Walking Tour Parque Rodo: Idiosyncrasy and art of Uruguay:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$28
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Montevideo Tourist Bus:
$31
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The Best Montevideo City Tour:
$33
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Full-Day City Tour of Punta del Este from Montevideo:
$33
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From Punta del Este Full-Day Tour:
$39
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Montevide Bike Tour:
$40
Typical Entertainment prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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10 days True Ecuador Experience:
$2,300
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12 Day Galapagos Snorkeling Tour:
$3,211
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15-Day Ecuador and Galapagos Highlights Tour from Quito:
$7,780
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15-day Adventure: Experiencing the Andes and Amazon of Ecuador:
$2,103
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16-Day Ecuador Adventure: Andes, Amazon & Galapagos:
$4,513
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1914 Original Trolley City Tour of Quito:
$15
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2 Day Private Tour to Mindo Cloud Forest from Quito:
$295
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2 Day Private Tour to Otavalo Market & surroundings from Quito:
$258
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2 Full Days Exploring The Ecuadorian Amazon | Tour Start In Quito:
$267
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2-Day Avenue of the Volcanoes and Baños Tour from Quito -"Small Group":
$417
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2-Day Baños Full Adrenaline Tour from Quito:
$581
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2-Day Private Sightseeing Tour Cotopaxi and Quilotoa:
$328
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Quito may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
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Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo:
$75
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Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people):
$80
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Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers:
$89
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Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo:
$103
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Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people):
$105
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Juanico Wine Tour Lunch:
$120
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Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
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Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch:
$182
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Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay:
$205
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Private Montevideo Wine Tour & Flight Tour:
$259
Typical Alcohol prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and Quito, 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.
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