Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $61Santa Cruz de la Sierra $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $61, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $54. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $38Santa Cruz de la Sierra $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $76Santa Cruz de la Sierra $46
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.02Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer in/out to your home!: $20
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- 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
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $86
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $73
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Taxi Ride$4.35
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Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 $13Santa Cruz de la Sierra $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $72
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $86
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
- El Milongon Dinner Show: $112
Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Snacks$3.19
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.15
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Cookies$1.31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $20Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
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
- Tourist Bus "Discover Montevideo": $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $27
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Walking tour of Montevideo with a true local guide.: $30
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
- Montevideo : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
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: $119
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
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Beer$1.60
When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.