Should you visit Punta del Este or Montevideo?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Montevideo, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
Which city is cheaper, Montevideo 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 $71, while the average daily cost in Montevideo is $46. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Punta del Este and Montevideo in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Punta del Este can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $78.
Travelers usually pay around $56 for a double occupancy room in Montevideo If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Punta del Este can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $22 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $8.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Food in Montevideo costs travelers about $9.73 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Punta del Este $22
Montevideo $9.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.:
$75
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El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo:
$105
Local Transportation
Punta del Este's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Punta del Este.
Montevideo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.29 per person, per day on transportation in Montevideo.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer:
$338
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Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann:
$269
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Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer:
$45
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Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport:
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer: Montevideo Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$622
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus:
$217
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PACK 3: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Colonia - Transfer out:
$190
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PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out:
$110
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Private Arrival Transfer: Montevideo Airport to Hotel:
$70
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Montevideo Airport:
$70
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car:
$69
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PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out:
$60
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Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo:
$50
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car:
$46
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Private Airport Transfer: Montevideo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD):
$40
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Private Airport Transfer: Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$40
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Montevideo?
Prices for flights to both Montevideo 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta del Este can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $7.60 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Montevideo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
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Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este:
$75
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La Vista 360 Admission Ticket:
$10
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Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour:
$33
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Punta del Este City Tour:
$93
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Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo:
$25
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Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este:
$188
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Punta del Este Special Art Tour:
$185
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Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience:
$150
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
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2-day Uruguay Pass: City Tour Montevideo + Excursion to Punta del Este:
$142
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2-day Uruguay Pass: Montevideo City Tour + Excursion to Colonia de Sacramento:
$185
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BEST Cruise Passanger - Shared Tours:
$45
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Best Private & Personalized City Tour for cruise passengers (full day):
$170
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Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.:
$145
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Best-Tours:
$1,090
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Bouza Winery Tour from Montevideo with Tastings and Tapas (Esp, Eng, Port):
$75
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City Tour Montevideo:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$28
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Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo:
$75
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Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo:
$70
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Discover Montevideo Private Tour with a Local:
$75
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Punta del Este, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.57.
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:
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Wine Tasting from Punta del Este:
$128
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
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Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo:
$75
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Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people):
$80
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Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers:
$89
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Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo:
$103
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Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people):
$105
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Juanico Wine Tour Lunch:
$120
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Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
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Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch:
$182
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Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay:
$205
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Private Montevideo Wine Tour & Flight Tour:
$259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Montevideo, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
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