A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salto vs. Montanita for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salto or Montanita?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Montanita, 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: Salto or Montanita?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Montanita, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Salto.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Montanita Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Salto or Montanita?

Salto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Montanita in the Summer?

Both Montanita and Salto during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.

Salto is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Salto. In the summer, Salto often gets more sunshine than Montanitain July. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in January than Montanitain July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Montanita in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Salto is cooler than Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.

Salto usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Salto usually receives more rain than Montanitain October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salto or Montanita in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salto as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.

In July, Salto is generally much colder than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In the winter, Salto often gets more sunshine than Montanitain January. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.

Salto usually gets less rain in July than Montanitain January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Montanita in the Spring?

Both Montanita and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Salto is much colder than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Salto. In October, Salto usually receives more rain than Montanitain April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montanita and Salto