Is Cusco or Montevideo cheaper?

Cusco is cheaper on average. A mid-range day in Cusco costs about $90 vs $115 in Montevideo, so Cusco saves you roughly $25 per day compared to Montevideo.

Is Cusco or Montevideo safer?

Montevideo scores higher on our safety index (75/100 vs 70/100). Montevideo is relatively safe by South American standards but has seen rising petty crime in recent years.

How do daily costs in Cusco and Montevideo compare?

In Cusco: budget ~$25-40/day, mid-range ~$60-120/day, luxury ~$250+/day. In Montevideo: budget ~$40-60/day, mid-range ~$90-160/day, luxury ~$220+/day.

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Cusco vs Montevideo

Q: Which has better weather, Cusco or Montevideo?

Cusco has the more temperate climate year-round. Cusco has two main seasons: a dry season (May-October) and a wet season (November-April). Thanks to its high altitude, temperatures are moderate year-round during the day but drop sharply at night regardless of season.

Which destination is right for your next trip?

Cusco

Peru

Montevideo

Uruguay

Cusco

Safety: 62/100Pop: 430K (city)America/Lima

Montevideo

Safety: 70/100Pop: 1.4MAmerica/Montevideo

💰 Budget

budget

Cusco: $25-40Montevideo: $40-60

mid-range

Cusco: $60-120Montevideo: $90-160

luxury

Cusco: $250+Montevideo: $220+

🛡️ Safety

Cusco68/100✓Safety Score60/100Montevideo

Cusco

Cusco is generally safe for tourists, but altitude sickness is the most immediate health risk. Petty theft, particularly in crowded areas and on night buses, is the main crime concern. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Montevideo

Montevideo is relatively safe by South American standards but has seen rising petty crime in recent years. Ciudad Vieja can be quiet and poorly lit after business hours. The Pocitos, Carrasco, and Punta Carretas neighborhoods feel noticeably safer.

⭐ Ratings

Cusco3/5English Friendly3/5Montevideo

Cusco4/5Walkability✓5/5Montevideo

Cusco2/5Public Transit✓3/5Montevideo

Cusco4/5Food Scene4/5Montevideo

Cusco3/5Nightlife3/5Montevideo

Cusco5/5✓Cultural Sites3/5Montevideo

Cusco5/5✓Nature Access3/5Montevideo

Cusco4/5WiFi Reliability4/5Montevideo

🌤️ Weather

Cusco

Cusco has two main seasons: a dry season (May-October) and a wet season (November-April). Thanks to its high altitude, temperatures are moderate year-round during the day but drop sharply at night regardless of season.

Dry Season (May - October)0-20°C

Shoulder (Early Wet) (November - December)5-20°C

Wet Season (January - March)5-19°C

Shoulder (Late Wet) (April)4-20°C

Montevideo

Montevideo has a humid subtropical climate moderated by the Rio de la Plata. Summers are warm but not extreme, and winters are cool and damp. The wind off the river can make it feel cooler than the temperature suggests.

Spring (September - November)11-22°C

Summer (December - February)18-30°C

Autumn (March - May)12-23°C

Winter (June - August)6-14°C

🚇 Getting Around

Cusco

Cusco's historic center is compact and walkable, though the altitude makes uphills exhausting. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. There's no metro or formal bus system for tourists, but colectivos (shared minivans) connect to nearby towns.

Walkability: The historic center is very walkable but prepare for steep cobblestone streets and the effects of altitude on your stamina. The San Blas neighborhood is a beautiful but demanding uphill walk. Flat areas around the Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market, and the main avenues are easy.

Taxis — S/5-10 (~$1.30-2.70) within city center; S/15-25 (~$4-6.70) to outskirts

inDriver / Uber — S/4-12 (~$1.10-3.20) for most trips

Colectivos (Shared Minivans) — S/5-15 (~$1.30-4) depending on distance

Montevideo

Montevideo relies primarily on buses (no metro system). The STM card is used for all public transit. The city is also very walkable in its central neighborhoods. Uber operates widely and is affordable.

Walkability: The central areas — Ciudad Vieja, Centro, Cordon, and Pocitos — are very walkable. The Rambla promenade is one of the world's great urban walks. The city is flat, making it easy on the feet. Summer heat is the only real obstacle.

City Buses — UYU 42-52 (~$1-1.30 USD) per ride with STM card

Uber / Cabify — UYU 150-400 (~$3.70-10 USD) for most cross-city trips

Taxis — UYU 200-500 (~$5-12.50 USD) for most trips

The Verdict

Choose Cusco if...

you want the Inca capital — Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Rainbow Mountain hikes, and Machu Picchu by PeruRail through the Andes

Choose Montevideo if...

you want South America's calmest capital — Ciudad Vieja, Rambla sunsets, Mercado del Puerto parrilla, tango, and ferries to Colonia del Sacramento

Cusco

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Montevideo

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