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

Should you visit Punta del Este or Easter Island?

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 Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?

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.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island 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 $101, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $78. 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 Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta del Este $56
    Easter Island $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta del Este $112
    Easter Island $86
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Easter Island? 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 Easter Island


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Punta del Este $22
    Easter Island $2.53

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: $73
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $86
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $86
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $73
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $86
  • Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $50
  • Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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
    Easter Island $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta del Este $11
    Easter Island $39

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: $294
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.19

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

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

  • Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
  • 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
  • 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
  • Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
  • Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
  • Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta del Este $7.91
    Easter Island $5.22

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 : $160


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Easter Island, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.

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 Easter Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Easter Island?

Punta del Este has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Easter Island, 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.


When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Easter Island?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Punta del Este or Easter Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Easter Island.

In the summer, Punta del Este is around the same temperature as Easter Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Easter Island averages at about 24°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of rain as Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Punta del Este 23°C (73°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Punta del Este or Easter Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Easter Island.

In April, Punta del Este is generally cooler than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Punta del Este 17°C (63°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Punta del Este or Easter Island in the Winter?

Both Easter Island and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Punta del Este is much colder than Easter Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. In July, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Punta del Este 10°C (50°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Punta del Este or Easter Island in the Spring?

Both Easter Island and Punta del Este during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Punta del Este is cooler than Easter Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Easter Island averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.

Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Easter Island. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Punta del Este 16°C (61°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Punta del Este

Punta del Este Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)