A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Punta del Este vs. Cali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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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.

Which place is cheaper, Cali or Punta del Este?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $99, 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta del Este $55
    Cali $5.99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta del Este $110
    Cali $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.

Hotels in Punta del Este


Hotels in Cali


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Punta del Este $22
    Cali $5.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este

Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Roundtrip Transfer Vineyards and Olive Groves of Punta del Este Uruguay: $250
  • Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer: $338
  • Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $65
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $65
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $26
  • Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $65
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel: $40
  • Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $29
  • Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $29

Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali

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

  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minibus: $171
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
  • Valle del Cauca Scenic ATV Tour with Transfer: $153
  • City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $129
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $96
  • Cali to or from Buenaventura Private Transfer: $80
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by 2x4 Vehicle: $68
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by 2x4 Vehicle: $68
  • From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Punta del Este $31
    Cali $8.54

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: $12
  • Street Food Tour: $17
  • The Cali Walking Street Food Tour: $25
  • Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $47
  • Alameda Market Food Tour: $48
  • Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta del Este $11
    Cali $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
  • Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $170
  • East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $1,900
  • Full Day Private Tour to Punta del Este: $580
  • Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $143
  • Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $200
  • Guided Tour of Vineyards: $30
  • Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $15
  • Half Day City Tour in Punta del Este: $38
  • Half Day Tour in Piriapolis from Punta del Este: $85
  • Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $302
  • La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Hours Alameda Market Tour: $13
  • A Taste of Food and Drink Tour of 9th Avenue: $50
  • A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $49
  • Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $149
  • Cali Bike Park Tour: $95
  • Cali City Tour: $117
  • Cali City Tour: $29
  • Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort: $49
  • Cali City Tour by 3 Hours (transportation + guide): $174
  • Cali City Tour by 5 Hours (transportation + guide): $239
  • Cali City Tour by 8 Hours (transportation + guide): $357
  • Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta del Este $7.77
    Cali $8.45

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: $38

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Cali?

Cali is bigger, and its population is about 330.8 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the population of Punta del Este vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Punta del Este vs. Cali Travel Comparison

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