Which place is cheaper, Flores 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 Flores?
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 Flores, 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 Flores?
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.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Flores $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Flores is $33. 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 Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Flores $8.62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Flores $17
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Flores
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Flores? 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 Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Flores $7.86
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: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $137
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $60
- Transfer from Flores Guatemala to Caye Caulker Belize: $43
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Belize, Caye Caulke, San Pedro Van/ Ferry Transfer: $20
- Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores 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 $31Flores $13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Flores $20
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: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- 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: $292
- 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 Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.22
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- Admire The Sunrise In Tikal - Private Tour From Flores: $214
- Awaken to Tikals' Sunrise Exclusive Tour: $199
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Enjoy The Sunset On Top Of A Mayan Pyramid In Yaxha - Private Tour From Flores: $199
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
- From Blue Crater private day tour: $160
- From El Pucte Blue Crater Private Day Tour: $200
- From Exclusive Tikal Group Tour: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Flores $21
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 : $158
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Flores, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South America and Flores is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
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 Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Flores?
Flores has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Flores, 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.