Should you visit Salto or Punta del Este?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Punta del Este, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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 $51, while the average daily cost in Punta del Este is $71. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Salto and Punta del Este in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Salto is about $44 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The prices for places to stay in Punta del Este can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $78.
Food
Food in Salto costs travelers about $18 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Punta del Este can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $22 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $8.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Salto $18
Punta del Este $22
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $16 per day to get around in Salto.
Punta del Este's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Punta del Este.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport:
$40
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Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann:
$269
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Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer:
$45
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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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $13 per person, per day in Salto. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta del Este can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $7.60 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
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La Vista 360 Admission Ticket:
$10
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Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo:
$25
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Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour:
$33
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Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este:
$75
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Punta del Este City Tour:
$93
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Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience:
$150
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Punta del Este Special Art Tour:
$185
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Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este:
$188
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Salto may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.74 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Punta del Este, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.57.
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:
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Wine Tasting from Punta del Este:
$128
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.
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