Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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 de Atacama?
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 de Atacama, 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 de Atacama?
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 de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98San Pedro de Atacama $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $59. 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 de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55San Pedro de Atacama $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22San Pedro de Atacama $9.15
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Transfer: $250
- Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
- Puritama Thermal Transfer: $46
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $33
- Transfers to San Pedro de Acatama (shared service): $30
- Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 de Atacama $14
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.26
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Lunch$10
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.94
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Empanada$5.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11San Pedro de Atacama $21
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 San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$56
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
- 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
- 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $189
- 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
- 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $210
- 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $240
- 4 Tours in the Atacama Desert: $230
- 4 Tours to Discover Atacama (3 days): $219
- 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $44
- ASTRONOMIC TOUR: $54
- Archaeological Experience in Atacama Tulor and Quitor: $146
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70San Pedro de Atacama $4.94
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 San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.
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 de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or San Pedro de Atacama?
Punta del Este has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.