A Travel Price Comparison for Uruguay Salto vs. Punta del Este for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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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.

Which city is cheaper, Punta del Este or Salto?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $56, while the average daily cost in Punta del Este is $78. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Salto and Punta del Este in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $24
    Punta del Este $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $48
    Punta del Este $86
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.

Hotels in Salto


Hotels in Punta del Este


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $17
    Punta del Este $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este

Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann: $269
  • Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $45
  • Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer: $338

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salto $20
    Punta del Este $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $14
    Punta del Este $8.30

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 Admission Ticket: $10
  • Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo: $25
  • Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour: $33
  • Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este: $75
  • Punta del Este City Tour: $93
  • Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience: $150
  • Punta del Este Special Art Tour: $185
  • Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $11
    Punta del Este $6.08

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 from Punta del Este: $128

About these numbers

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.


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 temperature in Salto is usually 25°C (77°F) in January, and Punta del Este stays 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salto 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 are around 19°C (65°F), and Punta del Este is 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salto 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. Temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Punta del Este stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salto 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 temperature in Salto is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Punta del Este stays 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salto 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)


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Salto vs. Punta del Este Travel Comparison

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