Which place is cheaper, Cali or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Cali, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Cali?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Cali $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Cali is $25. 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 Punta del Este and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Cali $6.16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Cali $12
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Cali? 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Cali $5.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $152
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $117
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $102
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $98
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $51
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $35
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City- Cali Airport (CLO): $25
- Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $24
- Transfer in Private Car from Cali Airport (CLO) -Cali City: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Cali $8.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Alameda Market Cali Food Tour: $14
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Cali $11
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $290
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day City Tour in Punta del Este: $47
- Half Day Tour in Piriapolis from Punta del Este: $170
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4 Hours Private River Tour to Pance Cali Colombia : $60
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $159
- Cali Bike Park Tour: $95
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort: $53
- Cali City Tour by 3 Hours (transportation + guide): $185
- Cali City Tour by 5 Hours (transportation + guide): $255
- Cali City Tour by 8 Hours (transportation + guide): $380
- Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $57
- Cali Mountain Bike Tour: $95
- Cali Salsa & Resistance Street Art Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Cali $8.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $157
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Cali, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Cali, 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.