Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Ensenada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Ensenada, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Punta del Este Prices
Uruguay PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $116Ensenada $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $116, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. 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 Punta del Este and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $53Ensenada $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $106Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Ensenada? 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $21Ensenada $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- PDP Airport Private Transfer to Punta del Este City Center: $83
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $116
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $116
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $168
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $168
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $275
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $51Ensenada $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
- Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
- Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $10Ensenada $9.79
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- City Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Tour: $10
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $19
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset at Casapueblo: $30
- Punta del Este city tour: $42
- Full-day guided tour of Punta del Este: $43
- Shore Excursion for Cruisers: $45
- Full-Day Beach & Culture Tour: $45
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
- 10 Hour Private Tour in ensenada, bufadora or valle de guadalupe: $290
- ATV Mountain Tour: $70
- ATV Off Road Adventure Shore Excursion Optional Taco Stop: $119
- ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
- ATV'S on the Mountain with Ocean View Private Tour: $110
- Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
- Canopy Ziplines Tour in Las Cañadas Private Tour: $89
- Couple Tour: $116
- Ensenada City Tour on Ford T Replica and Beach Horse Back Riding : $120
- Ensenada Pvt City Tour w Tacos, Culture, Sites +Massage add ons : $119
- Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding: $168
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.43Ensenada $9.98
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:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Wine Lovers - Fun Wine Tasting outside Punta del Este!: $199
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $27
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
- Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
- Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and Ensenada, we can see that Punta del Este 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. Even though Punta del Este is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Ensenada?
Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Ensenada, 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.
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.