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

Should you visit Montevideo or Rosario Islands?

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 Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands?

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.

Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Rosario Islands $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Rosario Islands $66
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Rosario Islands

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Rosario Islands? 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 Rosario Islands


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 Rosario Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.23
    Rosario Islands $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Arrival Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Montevideo City in Business Car: $69
  • Arrival Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Montevideo City in Minibus: $217
  • Arrival Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Montevideo City in Sedan Car: $46
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • 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
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus: $217

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Rosario Islands?

Prices for flights to both Rosario Islands 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
    Rosario Islands $28

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 $20
    Rosario Islands $14

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Rosario Islands $5.98

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Guided tour of Castillo Viejo Winery and Wine tasting and Lunch: $30
  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Montevideo Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $178
  • Exclusive Cruise Wine Tour curated for a small group: $180
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Rosario Islands, we can see that Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands Expensive?.