Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?
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 Pedro de Atacama 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 Pedro de Atacama?
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 Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
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 Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Montevideo Prices
Uruguay PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $70San Pedro de Atacama $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $67. 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 Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38San Pedro de Atacama $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76San Pedro de Atacama $62
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.04San Pedro de Atacama $8.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Hotel in Montevideo to the Airport: $22
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $47
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $134
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
- Private transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
- Private transfer from Carrasco Airport to Montevideo: $24
- Private transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $40
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $136
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $262
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $280
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $130
- Tatio Geysers W/Breakfast & Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. without waiting: $89
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $70
- Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
- Astronomy tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail: $59
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $55
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $45
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $39
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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
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Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $22San Pedro de Atacama $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Montevideo Street Food Tour With 5 tastings: $63
- Private Uruguayan Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
- Uruguayan Wine Pairing Dinner at City Winery Uruguay: $90
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
- Dinner and Tango Show at Primuseum Restaurant: $100
- Dinner and Tango Show at the Historic Bar Fun Fun, Established in 1895: $100
- Montevideo Dinner and Tango Show since 1895: $105
- Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
- Authentic Montevideo Food Tour: $190
- Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.22
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Lunch$10
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.91
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Empanada$5.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20San Pedro de Atacama $20
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- “Discovering Montevideo” – Shared Small-Group Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
- Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $36
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Authentic Uruguayan Roast Experience in Montevideo: $125
- Best City Tour for Cruisers: $120
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $450
- Bodega Santa Rosa: Passadore Family Tasting Tour with Lunch: $86
- Bouza Winery Full Experience (Tasting and Lunch): $225
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Club Atlético Peñarol Match Live Experience: $157
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
- Colonia del Sacramento Full Day Tour from Montevideo: $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$54
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Day Tour: Red Rocks, Tatio Geysers and Moon Valley: $206
- 2-Days private tour from Chile to Uyuni Salt Flats: $1,255
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
- 3 Main Tours in Atacama: $170
- 3 Shared Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $260
- 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
- 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $220
- 4 Tours to Discover Atacama (3 days): $249
- 4 Unique Tours in Atacama: $220
- 5 Fantastic Tours in the Atacama Desert in 3 Days: $240
- ASTRONOMICAL TOUR: $48
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -San Pedro de Atacama $4.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Bodega Pizzorno wine tasting in Montevideo: $45
- Wine tasting of 4 wines from 4 wineries & empanadas in Montevideo: $50
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
- Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$24
Sample the Local Flavors in San Pedro de Atacama
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Pedro de Atacama:
- “Drunken Llama Sightseeing Tour” Wine Tasting and Visit with Llama: $355
When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.
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 Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 640 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.