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Is Montevideo expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Montevideo is one of the most expensive cities in South America, with restaurant and supermarket prices often close to those in Southern Europe. Plan on about $U 3,100 a day per person on a budget, $U 6,800 mid-range and $U 14,500 for comfort. Eating out and hotels take most of the money, but sights are cheap and the Rambla, beaches and markets are free.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | $U1,400 | $U3,000 | $U6,500 |
| Food & drink | $U1,200 | $U2,400 | $U4,500 |
| Sights & tickets | $U300 | $U800 | $U2,000 |
| Local transport | $U200 | $U600 | $U1,500 |
| Per person, per day | $U3,100 | $U6,800 | $U14,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Montevideo day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about $U 100–150 |
| Chivito (steak sandwich with ham, egg and cheese) | about $U 600–900 |
| Main course in the Ciudad Vieja | $U 800–1,500 |
| Glass of medio y medio at the Mercado del Puerto | a few hundred pesos |
| City bus ride | about $U 50–60 |
| Taxi or Uber from Ciudad Vieja to Pocitos | about $U 400–500 |
| Teatro Solís guided tour | about $U 150–300 |
| Bus to Colonia del Sacramento | roughly $U 500–700 each way |
| Mid-range double in Pocitos | $U 4,500–7,500 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Food and drink are the main surprise: parrilla meals, coffee and wine cost much more than in neighbouring Argentina or Brazil's cheaper cities. Accommodation comes next, particularly in Pocitos, Punta Carretas and Carrasco, and in January during the summer and Carnaval season. Sightseeing, on the other hand, is cheap, and many of the best experiences — the Rambla, the beaches, candombe on Sunday afternoons and the Sunday market — cost nothing. Paying by foreign card often refunds part of the VAT in restaurants and hotels, which helps.
When it is cheaper
Late autumn and winter (May to September) are the quietest months, with lower hotel rates than in January and February. Rates rise for Carnaval and Tourism Week (Easter).
How to spend less
- Pay with a foreign credit or debit card in restaurants and hotels; the VAT refund often saves around 10–20%.
- Eat a chivito or a set lunch (menú ejecutivo) rather than a full parrilla dinner.
- Walk or cycle the Rambla instead of taking taxis along the coast.
- Use city buses with an STM card for longer trips.
- Take the COT or Turil bus to Colonia rather than a guided tour.
- Buy wine at supermarkets — good Uruguayan Tannat costs far less than in restaurants.
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Common questions
Is Montevideo expensive?
Yes, by South American standards. Restaurants and supermarkets cost close to Southern European prices.
Do tourists get a VAT refund in Uruguay?
Paying with a foreign card in restaurants and hotels often refunds part of the VAT, saving around 10–20%.
How much does a chivito cost?
About $U 600–900, depending on the restaurant.