Which place is cheaper, Montanita 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 Montanita?
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 Montanita, 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Punta del Este Prices
Uruguay PricesMontanita Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $116Montanita $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $116, while the average daily cost in Montanita 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $53Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $106Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Montanita? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $21Montanita $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 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $51Montanita $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $10Montanita $31
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.43Montanita $7.86
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
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Montanita?
Punta del Este has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Punta del Este or Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Punta del Este is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Montanitain July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is much colder than Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Montanitain October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in April than Montanitain October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Montanitain January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
Punta del Este is much colder than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Montanitain April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Montanitain April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.