Which place is cheaper, Quito 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 Quito?
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 Quito, 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 Quito?
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.
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Punta del Este Prices
Uruguay PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $116Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $116, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $52Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $104Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Quito? 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 Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $21Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bodega Garzon Wine Experience with Private Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $115
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $166
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $166
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $273
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $273
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Special Art Icons Tour: $185
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $117
- Arrival Transfer from Quito Airport UIO to Quito by Sedan or SUV: $105
- Transfer Quito → Papallacta (one way / round trip): $85
- Private Transfer from Quito to Baños de Agua Santa (one way): $80
- Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $59
- Private Transfer IN from to the International Airport Mariscal Sucre to Quito: $48
- Mariscal Sucre Airport to and from Quito Hotels Private Transfer: $45
- Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) to Quito hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Transfer Private Airport–Hotel in Quito: $39
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $36
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito 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 $51Quito $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $38
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $85
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
- Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer: $92
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $122
- Cooking Class at the Andes & Roses: PRIVATE Day trip from Quito: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $10Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- City Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Tour: $10
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $19
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset at Casapueblo: $40
- Punta del Este Full-Day Guided Tour: $43
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Shore Excursion for Cruisers: $59
- Punta del Este Shore Tour for Cruise Passengers: $59
- From Montevideo: Punta del Este Full-Day City Tour: $62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Adventure in Baths: Waterfalls, End of the World Swing and More”: $190
- 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included: $280
- Antisana Birding Tours to see CONDORS - by Richard Hernandez: $185
- Antisana Condor Tour from Quito: $220
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $108
- Antisana volcano private tour; birding and hike in the Andes: $130
- Basilica del Voto Nacional Quito Private Tour with Tickets: $97
- Cable Car Quito & Volcano Pichincha Trekking – Full Day Tour: $200
- Cable Car and Quito Private City Tour: $89
- Catedral Metropolitana de Quito Private Tour with Tickets: $97
- City Tour in Quito. Muffin, Cable Car, Historic Center and Middle of the World: $150
- Cotopaxi & Chimborazo: 2-Day Horseback Volcano Adventure: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.41Quito $17
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Quito
Also in Quito, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Quito, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Quito.
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 Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Quito?
Quito has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Quito, 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.