A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas is $101. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $94
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and San Cristobal de Las Casas

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or San Cristobal de Las Casas? 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas


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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
  • Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $85
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas

Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Prices for flights to both San Cristobal de Las Casas 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
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $23

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $14

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
  • Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
  • Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $110
  • Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $110
  • Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
  • Discover Mix of Sightseeing & City Attractions!: $140
  • From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $950

Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas

For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure on Motorcycle to a Hidden Waterfall! : $119
  • Agua Azul, Misol Hà Waterfalls and Palenque Ruins Tour: $48
  • Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
  • Chamula and Zinacantan Indigenous Villages Tour: $30
  • Food Walking Tour in San Cristobal : $70
  • From San Cristóbal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque with Guide 1 day: $65
  • Full Day Tour in Lagos de Montebello and El Chiflón: $80
  • Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $45
  • Full Day Tour to Palenque Archaeological Zone with Waterfalls: $109
  • Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
  • Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $28
  • Montebello Lakes and Waterfalls Tour from San Cristobal: $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $30

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


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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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.