Comparison · Buenos Aires vs Montevideo · Argentina / Uruguay
Buenos Aires vs Montevideo
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Buenos Aires for Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights; choose Montevideo for Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas, beaches and a short break. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 205 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 205 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Buenos Aires
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Montevideo
- November–March
Side by side
| Buenos Aires | Montevideo | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Argentina | Uruguay |
| Known for | Tango, Steak and Malbec and Recoleta Cemetery | Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas and Chivito sandwich |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | November–March |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $130–$230 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | January, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 15°C (59°F) | July, 14°C (57°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Playa Pocitos |
| Airports | EZE, AEP | MVD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Buenos Aires for…
Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights. Buenos Aires spreads along the Río de la Plata in a grid of barrios, each with its own character: the colonial streets of San Telmo, the mansions and cemetery of Recoleta, the boutiques and restaurants of Palermo and the government buildings around Plaza de…
Choose Montevideo for…
Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas, beaches and a short break. Uruguay's capital lines the north shore of the Río de la Plata, with a waterfront promenade, the Rambla, running for over 20 km past city beaches from the old port to Carrasco. The Ciudad Vieja and the Centro around Plaza Independencia hold the art deco and…
Top sights compared
| # | Buenos Aires | Montevideo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recoleta Cemetery | The Rambla |
| 2 | Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada | Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum |
| 3 | Teatro Colón | Palacio Salvo |
| 4 | Caminito, La Boca | Teatro Solís |
| 5 | La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum | Mercado del Puerto |
Food compared
| Buenos Aires | Montevideo |
|---|---|
| Asado and bife de chorizo | Chivito |
| Empanadas | Asado |
| Choripán | Choripán |
| Provoleta | Medio y medio |
Which is cheaper?
Buenos Aires and Montevideo cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $110–$220 in Buenos Aires and $130–$230 in Montevideo (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Buenos Aires on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Buenos Aires and Montevideo are about 205 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in Buenos Aires and 3 in Montevideo.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Buenos Aires or Montevideo cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 in Buenos Aires and $130–$230 in Montevideo (estimates).
+Is Buenos Aires or Montevideo better for a first trip?
Pick Buenos Aires for Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights, or Montevideo for Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas, beaches and a short break.
+How far is Buenos Aires from Montevideo?
About 205 km in a straight line.