Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 San Pedro?
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 San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?
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.
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98San Pedro $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 San Pedro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55San Pedro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and San Pedro
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or San Pedro? 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 $22San Pedro $34
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 city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- 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: $55
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or San Pedro?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 $31San Pedro $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11San Pedro $33
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
- Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $127
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- The best of San Pedro Town walking tour: $202
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- 5-Hour Guided Jetboat Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize.: $200
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye: $250
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye: $250
- Double Activity Limo Tour: Xunantunich Ruins & Cave Tubing Adventure: $220
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70San Pedro $16
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and San Pedro, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro is in Central 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or San Pedro?
San Pedro has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and San Pedro, 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.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or San Pedro?
Punta del Este has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Pedro in the Summer?
Both San Pedro and Punta del Este during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.
In January, Punta del Este is generally cooler than San Pedroin July. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. In the summer, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than San Pedroin July. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun.
San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in January than San Pedroin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)San Pedro 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Pedro in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and San Pedro. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in October.
Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than San Pedro during autumn. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than San Pedroin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)San Pedro 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Pedro in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as San Pedro. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.
In the winter, Punta del Este is much colder than San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.
In the winter, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than San Pedroin January. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in July than San Pedroin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)San Pedro 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or San Pedro in the Spring?
Both San Pedro and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Punta del Este is generally much colder than San Pedroin April. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in San Pedro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedro during spring. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than San Pedroin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)San Pedro 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Pedro and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | San Pedro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.