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

Should you visit Montevideo or Roatan?

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 Roatan 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 Roatan?

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $38. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Roatan $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Roatan? 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 Roatan


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 Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    Roatan $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • 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
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $4.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $142
  • Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • Parasailing adventure with round trip transfers included: $130
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Roatan Special Catamaran for Cruise Ship Passengers plus Transfer: $113
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $110
  • Transfers, Zip Line and Monkey Park: $110
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $13
    Roatan $9.43

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.

  • Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise in Roatan with Snorkeling and Dinner : $100
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Roatan $27

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
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $28
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • Mangrove cruise garífuna Culture sightseeing and Lunch : $89
  • Shore Excursion: VIP Island City Tour and Drift Snorkel : $60
  • Shore Excursion: Zip & Dip Adventure: $69
  • Sloths Sanctuary/Monkeys Play + Dune Buggy/ATV Adventure & Private Beach Resort: $139
  • 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
  • 4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride: $120
  • ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $110
  • Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
  • Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
  • Atv Island Tour: $85
  • Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
  • Cruise Ship Family Sloth & Monkeys, West Tour, Beach plus Private Vehicle: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Roatan $7.07

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
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Roatan, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Roatan?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Roatan, 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.