Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Punta del Este?
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 Punta del Este or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel, 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 Cozumel?
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.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
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Punta del Este Prices
Uruguay PricesCozumel Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $116Cozumel $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $116, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $122. 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 Cozumel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $53Cozumel $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $106Cozumel $126
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Cozumel
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $21Cozumel $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $275
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $168
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $168
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $116
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $116
- PDP Airport Private Transfer to Punta del Este City Center: $83
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 $51Cozumel $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $10Cozumel $40
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Best private Have It Your Way Tour in Punta Del Este.: $261
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Candelaria Church and Punta del Este Old Town Private Tour: $122
- Discover why we Love the Colonia Wine Experience: $200
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Exclusive Private Tour for cruise passengers in Punta del Este: $250
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $165
- Full-day guided tour of Punta del Este: $43
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $19
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- Jewish History Punta del Este Old Town Private Walking Tour: $150
- Museo Ralli Private Guided Tour in Punta del Este : $122
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- 10 Experiences Tour : $200
- 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $78
- 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán : $72
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $55
- ATV Adventour: Jade Cave Cenote, Transportation & Tequila: $87
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern Double: $113
- ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
- ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
- ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $64
- ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
- Adventure Tour Village ATVs Beach with Snorkeling and Villa Maya: $100
- Adventure in Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Cozumel: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.43Cozumel $10
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
- Wine Lovers - Fun Wine Tasting outside Punta del Este!: $199
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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. Even though Punta del Este is in South America and Cozumel is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Cozumel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Cozumel?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Cozumel, 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.