Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Ushuaia, 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.
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.
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $101, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $12. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Ushuaia? 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.
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Ushuaia, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
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 Ushuaia Expensive?.
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Ushuaia, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Both Ushuaia and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Punta del Este is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Ushuaia and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, Punta del Este is generally much warmer than Ushuaia. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in April than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Ushuaia.
It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Punta del Este is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Ushuaia.
In the spring, Punta del Este is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaia. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Punta del Este | Ushuaia | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |