Which place is cheaper, Punta del Este or Salto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salto or Punta del Este?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Punta del Este, 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 Punta del Este?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $71Punta del Este $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $71, while the average daily cost in Punta del Este is $98. 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 Salto and Punta del Este in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $30Punta del Este $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $60Punta del Este $110
Compare Hotels in Salto and Punta del Este
Looking for a hotel in Salto or Punta del Este? 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: Salto Hotel Prices and Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $22Punta del Este $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $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 from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Punta del Este?
Prices for flights to both Punta del Este and Salto 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 daySalto $25Punta del Este $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $18Punta del Este $11
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
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- 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
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Punta del Este $7.70
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 Salto and Punta del Este, we can see that Punta del Este 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 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 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 Punta del Este Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salto or Punta del Este?
Salto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Punta del Este, 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 Salto or Punta del Este?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Salto or Punta del Este in the Summer?
Both Punta del Este and Salto during the summer are popular places to visit.
Salto is around the same temperature as Punta del Este in the summer. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Punta del Este fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salto. In the summer, Salto often gets less sunshine than Punta del Este. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in January than Punta del Este. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySalto 25°C (77°F)Punta del Este 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Salto or Punta del Este in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Punta del Este.
In the autumn, Salto is around the same temperature as Punta del Este. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Punta del Este averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Salto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Punta del Este during autumn. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 171 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 Punta del Este. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSalto 19°C (65°F)Punta del Este 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Salto or Punta del Este in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Salto as well as Punta del Este.
In July, Salto is generally a little warmer than Punta del Este. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Punta del Este fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the winter, Salto often gets more sunshine than Punta del Este. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta del Este receives 135 hours of full sun.
Salto usually gets less rain in July than Punta del Este. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySalto 12°C (54°F)Punta del Este 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Salto or Punta del Este in the Spring?
Both Punta del Este and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Salto is around the same temperature as Punta del Este in the spring. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Punta del Este fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Punta del Este during spring. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Punta del Este receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Salto. In October, Salto usually receives more rain than Punta del Este. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Punta del Este receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSalto 18°C (64°F)Punta del Este 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Punta del Este and Salto
| Salto | Punta del Este | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.