Which place is cheaper, Montevideo or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Montevideo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Montevideo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Montevideo?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $51Montevideo $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Montevideo is $64. 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 Zanzibar and Montevideo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Montevideo $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Montevideo $80
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Montevideo
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Montevideo? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Montevideo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Montevideo $7.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- From Mystery Day Safari with Transfer: $500
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Daressalam with two way transfers : $260
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Kiwengwa: $200
- Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
- Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise with Transfers.: $149
- Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
- Off-Road Quad Bike Adventure with hotel transfer: $138
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Luxury Sedan: $125
- Ferry Zanzibar :Transfer services: $120
- Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
- Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Carrasco Airport Transfer: $20
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Montevideo?
Prices for flights to both Montevideo and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $17Montevideo $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Montevideo $21
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
- Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
- Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
- Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
- Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
- 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
- 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
- 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
- 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
- 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Tourist Bus "Discover Montevideo": $25
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- City tour Montevideo: $27
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $28
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.86Montevideo -
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- The best wine tour: $140
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Montevideo, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Montevideo is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo than you might in Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Montevideo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Montevideo?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Montevideo, 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 Zanzibar or Montevideo?
Montevideo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Montevideo in the Summer?
Both Montevideo and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Montevideo in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Montevideo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in January.
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Montevideoin January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 296 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Montevideoin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Montevideo 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Montevideo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Montevideo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Montevideo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Montevideo averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.
In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Montevideo during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Montevideoin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Montevideo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Montevideo. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Montevideoin July. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Montevideoin July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 135 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Montevideoin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Montevideo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Montevideo in the Spring?
Both Montevideo and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Montevideo in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Montevideo. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Montevideo during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Montevideoin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Montevideo 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Montevideo and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Montevideo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.