A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Punta del Este vs. Sucre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Punta del Este or Sucre?

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 Sucre, 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 Sucre?

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.

Sucre

Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Sucre 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 $97, while the average daily cost in Sucre is $44. 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 Sucre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta del Este $54
    Sucre $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta del Este $108
    Sucre $22
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Sucre

Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Sucre? 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.

Hotels in Punta del Este


Hotels in Sucre


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 Sucre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Punta del Este $21
    Sucre $12

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 to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $87
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $87
  • Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $87
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $73
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $73
  • Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
  • Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
  • Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $50
  • Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $50
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre

Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227

Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Sucre?

Prices for flights to both Sucre 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 day
    Punta del Este $30
    Sucre $18

Typical Food Prices in Sucre

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:


  • Dinner
    $4.50
  • Juice
    $0.87
  • Juice
    $1.02
  • Chocolate
    $1.74
  • Cappuccino
    $4.36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre

For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta del Este $10
    Sucre $16

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
  • 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: $296
  • 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 City Tour in Punta del Este: $47
  • Half Day Tour in Piriapolis from Punta del Este: $170

Tours and Activities in Sucre

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.

  • 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
  • From Tour in English Uyuni salt flat tour 2 Days: $150
  • From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
  • Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
  • Hiking Tour in El Palmar from Sucre Bolivia: $250
  • JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
  • JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
  • Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
  • Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
  • Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
  • City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
  • Uyuni Salt Flat 1 Day Tour +Sunset in the Salt Water Region with Mirror Effect: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta del Este $7.62
    Sucre $13

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 : $161


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Sucre, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Sucre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sucre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sucre 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 Sucre.

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 Sucre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Sucre?

Sucre has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Sucre, 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.