Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
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 Guadalajara, 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Guadalajara $39
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 Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $240
- Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
- Airport to City Transfer: $151
- Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $31Guadalajara $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Guadalajara $28
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
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- 6 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $144
- Air Adventure Paraglide over Incredible Landscapes: $156
- Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines: $43
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour: $120
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
- City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $94
- Complete Tour on the Tequila Route from Guadalajara: $58
- Downtown Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque Tour: $73
- Downtown Mexico City: App guided tacos and market tour: $18
- Enjoy an exclusive Tequila Tour with a Tequila Master: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Guadalajara $18
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara than you might in Punta del Este.
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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Guadalajara, 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.