Should you visit Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama 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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $44, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $59. 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 San Pedro de Atacama 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.
For a normal double-occupancy room in San Pedro de Atacama, $64 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in San Pedro de Atacama, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $32, such as in a hostel.
Food
Food in Montevideo costs travelers about $9.45 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.
Food in San Pedro de Atacama costs travelers about $14 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Montevideo $9.45
San Pedro de Atacama $14
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
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
$1.60
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Lunch
$13
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Dinner
$14
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Drink
$1.20
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Empanada
$6.68
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 $5.14 per person, per day on transportation in Montevideo.
San Pedro de Atacama'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 $9.33 per person, per day on transportation in San Pedro de Atacama.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Montevideo $5.14
San Pedro de Atacama $9.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer MV Uruguay:
$37
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Transfer Airport to Hotel Regular:
$20
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TRANSFER IN/OUT (Airport, Port (MVD) - Hotel in MVD - Airport, Port (MVD)):
$20
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TRANSFER IN - OUT (Airport or Port / Hotel) - private transfer:
$25
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Private transfer: Montevideo Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$622
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Private Transfer Montevideo Airport:
$20
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Montevideo Airport:
$70
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Private Arrival Transfer: Montevideo Airport to Hotel:
$70
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Private Airport Transfer: Montevideo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD):
$40
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Private Airport Transfer: Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$40
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PACK 3: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Colonia - Transfer out:
$190
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PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out:
$110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City:
$115
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Atacama Airport Private Transfer:
$93
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Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$30
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Transfer San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport Shared Service:
$26
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Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport:
$25
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Montevideo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in San Pedro de Atacama can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
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2-day Uruguay Pass: City Tour Montevideo + Excursion to Punta del Este:
$142
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2-day Uruguay Pass: Montevideo City Tour + Excursion to Colonia de Sacramento:
$185
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BEST Cruise Passanger - Shared Tours:
$45
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Best Private & Personalized City Tour for cruise passengers (full day):
$170
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Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.:
$145
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Best-Tours:
$1,090
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Bouza Winery Tour from Montevideo with Tastings and Tapas (Esp, Eng, Port):
$75
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City Tour Montevideo:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$28
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Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo:
$75
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Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo:
$70
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Discover Montevideo Private Tour with a Local:
$75
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:
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:
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2- day tour Quitor & Tulor + Moon & Death Valley in Atacama:
$129
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4-Day Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure from San Pedro de Atacama:
$357
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4-Days Experience at Uyuni Salt Flat From San Pedro de Atacama:
$1,953
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8-Days Unique Experience in San Pedro de Atacama & Easter Island:
$1,680
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Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas Tour - Full Day Tour - Private Option:
$157
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Ancestral Caravan with Sandra Flores - Half Day Special Tour - Local Community:
$86
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Archaeological Tour in Atacama:
$49
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Archaeological Tour, Quitor, Tulor, Coyo and San Pedro:
$62
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Archeological Tour:
$59
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Astronomic Tour Experience from San Pedro de Atacama:
$65
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Astronomic tour:
$47
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Astronomical Tour:
$42
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting San Pedro de Atacama spend on average $5.03 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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 San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro de Atacama than you might in Montevideo.
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