Which place is cheaper, Salta or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Punta del Este or Salta?
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 Salta, 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 Salta?
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.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Salta $9.62
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Salta is $9.62. 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 Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Salta $3.47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Salta $6.94
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Salta? 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 Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Salta $4.00
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: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Salta are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $265
- Yungas : full day with gauchos - transfer inc. from Salta: $240
- 3-Day:Cafayate, Cachi, Salinas Grandes Including Transfer In/Out : $217
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $20
- Round Trip Shared Transfer Salta Airport/Downtown Hotel: $13
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPunta del Este $31Salta $3.27
Typical Food Prices in Salta
For Salta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Emplanadas$0.01
-
Ice Cream$0.01
-
Lunch$0.67
-
Coffee$0.14
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Salta $3.40
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
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- 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: $289
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Salta
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Salta's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Gondola Ride$0.02
-
Pool$0.06
-
Wine and Cheese night$4.15
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $18
- Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $41
- 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
- Best of Guided City Tour: $27
- Bungee Jumping Adrenaline Experience on Cabra Corral Dam: $107
- Cachi Full Day Tour from Salta: $58
- Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $57
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $274
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $34
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $18
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $33
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $34
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Salta $1.37
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 : $157
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Salta are as follows:
-
Beer$0.01
-
Alcohol$0.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $30
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $33
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $121
- Full-Day Private Calchaquí Valley & Cafayate Wine Tour from Salta: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Salta, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Salta.
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 Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Salta, 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.