A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama 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: Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?

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.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Montevideo Prices
    Uruguay Prices
    San Pedro de Atacama Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montevideo $70
    San Pedro de Atacama $69

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $69. 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 Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $38
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $76
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 Montevideo


Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.06
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to Punta del Este from Montevideo / Punta to Montevideo: $112
  • Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Punta del Este: $328
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Colonia del Sacramento: $438
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $90
  • Roundtrip Transfer Montevideo Airport (MVD) - Punta del Este: $210
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Montevideo Airport (MVD): $42
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $275
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $224
  • Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
  • Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $90
  • Atacama Airport Private Transfer: $88
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail.: $53
  • Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
  • TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama and Montevideo 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
    Montevideo $22
    San Pedro de Atacama $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
  • Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $107
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $108

Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $20
    San Pedro de Atacama $21

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $60
  • Punta del Este, City Tour from Montevideo: $140
  • Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Best City Shared Tour for Cruisers: $65
  • Best Private Tour of Montevideo for cruise-ship passengers: $450
  • Bodega Santa Rosa: Famiglia Passadore Tour Tasting with Lunch: $86
  • Bouza Winery Full Experience (Tasting and Lunch): $180
  • City Tour of Montevideo: $40
  • City Tour, the best option for small groups: $120
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Colonia & Montevideo from Buenos Aires - Private 2 Day Tour: $1,560

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • The 3 Best Selling Tours in Atacama: $190
  • 1-Day Tour Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas and Laguna Chaxa: $120
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $190
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3 or 4 days in San Pedro with Semi-Private tours: $300
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
  • 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
  • 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.93

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $116
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $225
  • Montevideo Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $226
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450

Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


When comparing the travel costs between Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or San Pedro de Atacama?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 640 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.