Is Piriapolis expensive to visit?
Piriapolis is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Piriapolis can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $33 ($U1,414) per day, mid-range travelers spend $76 ($U3,232) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $145 ($U6,176) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Piriapolis.
Within South America, Piriapolis is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Colonia del Sacramento or Pereira.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Piriapolis Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Piriapolis?
The average Piriapolis trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Piriapolis travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Piriapolis cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Piriapolis, it's important to be realistic about your travel budget. While some people assume they can travel very cheaply, most people aren't comfortable on an extreme shoestring budget. Consider what you enjoy most on vacation and how you like to travel. Do you perfer to stay in resorts, hotels, or hostels? Do you enjoy sightseeing and dining out? These factors will affect your overall budget and travel plans.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $33 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. When visiting Piriapolis, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $76 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $145 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range.
Accommodation Budget in Piriapolis
The cost of hotels in Piriapolis can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $81, but the demand in peak season pushes that average to around $151. Budget hotels range from $52 to $230, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Piriapolis for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $50 ($U2,080). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $25 ($U1,040) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Piriapolis include:
- Ocean Hotel Piriapolis starting at $60
- Hotel City Piriapolis starting at $102
- Hotel Genoves starting at $86
- Hotel Ricadi starting at $75
- Hotel Marina Punta Colorada starting at $120
Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.
Transportation Budget in Piriapolis
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $29 ($U1,213) per person, per day, on local transportation in Piriapolis. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Piriapolis is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$29
$U1,213
Piriapolis is about 65 miles east of Montevideo. From Montevideo's bus terminal "Tres Cruces", buses depart about every hour during the day. The direct buses are a little more expensive but you will get there in less than two hours. Other buses pass by Montevideo's airport before going to Piriapolis. If you are staying in Punta del Este, Piriapolis is about 35 miles west and there are also many bus services. You can also arrange with your hotel a day trip from Punta del Este to Piriapolis. However costs of these day tours would be about triple what the bus ticket costs by itself. If you land in Punta del Este airport, then Piriapolis is only 15 miles west, as the airport is actually closer to Piriapolis than Punta del Este. Flights usually come from Buenos Aires and Brazil only, and are abundant during high season.
How much does it cost to go to Piriapolis? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Piriapolis will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Piriapolis
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Piriapolis can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Piriapolis is $37 ($U1,529) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$37
$U1,529
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Piriapolis is around $36 ($U1529) per person, with previous travelers spending from $16 to $69. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Piriapolis are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $11
- Lunch: $5 to $14
- Dinner: $11 to $25
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
Uruguayan cuisine has a lot of European influence, especially from Italy and Spain, though expect to find a lot more meat due to the country's abundant production of beef. The national drink of Uruguay is Grappamiel made from alcohol and honey. However, just like in Argentina, you will find many Uruguayans walking around with a thermos flask and a special cup for their famous hot drink called Mate. Piriapolis offers many restaurants options and has particularly good seafood due to its close proximity to the sea.
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Stay hydrated with a water bottle instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also great for the environment.
If you're planning to take a tour, make sure you know which meals are included beforehand. You might be on the hook to pay for some of the food yourself which can add to your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Piriapolis
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Piriapolis typically cost an average of $5.44 ($U227) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$5.44
$U227
Port Piriapolis is one of the most delightful corners of the city. Ideal to enjoy lunch or behold sunset while sitting on its large rocks, Port Piriapolis is a modern and safe site, specially designed for sport watercrafts. Almost at the end of the port lies one of the most popular attractions of Piriapolis, the chairlifts leading to San Antonio Hill. There are several alternatives to go up to its summit, you can take the chairlift, the car or the bus and also go by foot. As the chairlifts gain height, visitors may catch a glimpse of the whole City of Piriapolis including the port, the watercrafts, the lighthouse, the hills, the beaches and the vastness of the sea. Half way between the Districts of Piriapolis and Minas, stands the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Whoever heads for the eastern beaches can always spot it on the way, but very few people resolve to take a detour from the main road and get close to its base. The Sugar Loaf Mountain is approximately four hundred meters high and its summit displays a unique panoramic view of the City of Piriapolis and its immense sea. The Sugar Loaf tour is a popular activity among visitors to Piriapolis and it is certainly worth visiting. However, many people are not aware of the fact that the matchless panoramic view they may appreciate once on its top is not the only attraction in this site. The Sugar loaf native wildlife and breeding station operates at the foot of the hill in an animal reserve, which may be seen in a ninety-minute tour. This zoo offers a great option for those who do not wish to climb up to the top of the Sugar Loaf.
Just 88 kilometers away from Montevideo and 8km from Piriapolis, in the heart of the District of Maldonado, there lies Las Flores, a perfect seaside resort to visit in the company of family members and especially children. Most of the houses in this location feature diverse styles and colors and lie a few meters away from the beach. The beach combines fine sand and rocks. The waters are usually calm and feature turquoise tints. You can also head to Punta Colorada, just 5 kilometers away from Piriapolis towards the East, where you will find delightful beaches. Another peninsula, located on the east, about 6 kilometers away is Punta Negra. Its large rocks adopt a darker shade but it is a swim hole that shares several features with Punta Colorada such as large beaches, thick forests hiding cabins and resorts for families to enjoy.
Cycle around the beautiful city of Piriapolis to get from site to site and fully cover this wonderful city and its surroundings in a few kilometers during a unique ride. Almost all the action happens in the 10-block stretch of beachfront between Avenida Artigas and Avenida Piria. Streets back from the beach are more residential. A handicrafts market called La Pasiva is located on the waterfront promenade, a few meters away from Hotel Argentino and next to the old Hotel Piriapolis. You will find hundreds of stands hosted by Uruguayan craftsmen who offer a wide array of original products. Piriapolis was developed for tourism in the early 20th century by Uruguayan entrepreneur Francisco Piria, who built the imposing landmark Argentino Hotel and an eccentric hillside residence known as Castillo de Piria (Piria's Castle). Argentino Hotel is an amazing architectural work, built in 1930, perfect to stay and enjoy the stately rooms and the imposing view of the Sugar Loaf on one side and the promenade along the sea on the other. However, at present the hotel is also opened for all vacationers in the area to enjoy and visit. The first floor might be considered a historical museum that unveils the summer customs in the early and middle twentieth century. Piria's Castle is also a great place to visit. This beautiful residence copied its architectural style from some Italian villages from the late XIX century. In addition to the old palm trees, the garden shelters a brass statue representing the Roman deity Mercury, an exact replica of the figure found in the Ercolano excavations in Italy.