Is Salto expensive to visit?
In Salto, budget travelers spend $36 ($U1,506) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $82 ($U3,421) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $157 ($U6,518) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Salto.
Salto 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.
If you choose to make it so, Salto can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Salto is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Fortaleza or Paracas.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Salto Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Salto?
The average Salto trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Salto travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Salto cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Salto, 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.
What Defines 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 $36 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.
So, are you 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. Most tourists in Salto are inclined to explore its main attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $82 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $157 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary.
Accommodation Budget in Salto
The cost of hotels in Salto can be quite surprising. Luxury accommodations come with higher prices and more amenities, especially during peak season. Off-season rates average $82, but peak season () average prices jump to $153. Overall, prices range from $54 to $252. Hostels are often the cheaper option, especially in dorms. You can save by booking early, traveling in the off-season, or taking advantage of promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Salto for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $58 ($U2,325). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $29 ($U1,163) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Salto? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Salto include:
- Salto Hotel y Casino starting at $90
- Hotel Termal Dayman starting at $120
- Hotel La Posta del Dayman starting at $86
- Termas Sol Y Luna starting at $82
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 Salto
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $21 ($U836) per person, per day, on local transportation in Salto. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Salto is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$21
$U836
There are regular buses from the Tres Cruces terminal in Montevideo that provide a direct service (6 hours) and costs USD$23 per person. The bus from Salto to Concordia in Argentina is about 1 hour, costs USD$3 and the border crossing is quick and straightforward. You can also reach salto by boat. The crossing of the Rio Uruguay from Concordia, Argentina takes just a few minutes and the fare is USD$5, with 50% discounts for children under age 8. There are several departures each way every day. Taxis between the the boat terminal in Concordia and the bus station take about 20 minutes. The boat terminal in Salto is close to the center but far from the bus station. There are also regular scheduled flights, up to two per day in peak periods, from Montevideo by BQB Lineas Aereas. There are also charter flights from Argentina bringing tourists to the nearby airport.
How much does it cost to go to Salto? 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 Salto 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 Salto
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Salto can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Salto is $41 ($U1,651) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$41
$U1,651
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Salto is around $40 ($U1651) per person, with previous travelers spending from $17 to $75. 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 Salto are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $12
- Lunch: $6 to $16
- Dinner: $12 to $28
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
Uruguayan cuisine may not be as well known as that of other South American countries, but that just makes discovering the country's dishes even more exciting. Both the indigenous Charrua people and those of several European countries influence the cuisine of Uruguay, which features many meaty-heavy dishes. Alongside a large selection of grilled meats, you will also find great snacks including gnocchi and empanadas, both popular foods in Uruguay.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Salto
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Salto typically cost an average of $17 ($U693) 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.
$17
$U693
The Represa Salto Grande is a source of national pride in Uruguay. This massive hydroelectric dam 14 km north of Salto, about a 20 minute drive, provides over 50% of Uruguay's electricity. You can visit both the Uruguayan and Argentine sides of the hydroelectric dam with free 90-minute guided tours. A taxi from Salto to the dam will cost you about USD$20. On the way, check out the stands selling homemade empanadas and freshly squeezed local orange juice. If at some point of your visit to Salto you wish to get to know a bit more about the history of the city, join the city's free walking tour on Plaza Artigas. If you need to ask locals where it is, don't be surprised if they know it as "18 de Julio" or "Plaza Nueva", its older name.
The most popular activity around Salto is to spend a day or more in the Termas del Arapey, which similar to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, maintain an excellent temperature and have therapeutic properties. These hot springs were the first ones to be set up in the Salto region and they are still running their waters for visitors looking to have a relaxing time. It's a little bit far from the city, but the travel is worth it for the beautiful nature surrounding the park and the opportunity to get to know the area better. Other waterparks and spas in the region include The Dayman Hot Springs, the Acuamania Waterpark, the The Salto Grande Hot Springs and the Horacio Quiroga Complex. You can also visit the Museo del Hombre y la Tecnologia. Housed in a historic market building, this museum features excellent displays on local cultural development and history upstairs, and a small archaeological section downstairs. The Museo de Bellas Artes y Artes Decorativas is a real haven for art-lovers. You will find a nice collection of Uruguayan painting and sculpture in a historic two-story mansion with a grand staircase, stained glass and a back garden. Head to the wild zoo of the city of Salto, which has over 150 different species. It's a beautiful place to be out in the nature too, with extensive vegetation and green areas.
You also probably know that Uruguay is a great country for fishing and Salto is not left behind. Right on the Uruguay River is one of the best regions to go fishing.
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.