uruguay

Prices and Cost of Living in Uruguay

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Uruguay. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 20.07 USD to 27.85 USD

Transportation

from 2.70 USD to 3.00 USD

Sightseeing

from 5.49 USD to 6.38 USD

Accommodation

from 31.16 USD to 34.62 USD

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 59.42 USD to 71.86 USD

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 8 October 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 2372 UYU (59.42 USD) to 2869 UYU (71.86 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 5109 UYU (128 USD) to 6743 UYU (169 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Uruguay. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 8.1 USD to 11.48 USD

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 10.5 USD to 15.61 USD

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 8 October 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Uruguay?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 323 UYU (8.1 USD) to 458 UYU (11.48 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 419 UYU (10.5 USD) to 623 UYU (15.61 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 8 October 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Uruguay

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Uruguay, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: Montevideo.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)3.12 USD
Banana (1kg)2.48 USD
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)11.46 USD
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)10.02 USD
Chicken Fillets (1kg)11.35 USD
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)5.26 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)2.47 USD
Eggs (regular) (12)4.96 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)3.10 USD
Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre20.58 USD
Lettuce (1 head)1.38 USD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)2.86 USD
Local Cheese (1kg)13.89 USD
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.26 USD
Onion (1kg)1.96 USD
Oranges (1kg)1.48 USD
Potato (1kg)2.17 USD
Rice (white), (1kg)1.65 USD
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre12.78 USD
Tomato (1kg)3.67 USD
Water (1.5 liter bottle)1.78 USD

Food and beverage prices in Uruguay

Popular food products found on store shelves in Uruguay include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 78.33 UYU (1.96 USD) for a kilo of onions to 457 UYU (11.46 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 65.96 UYU (1.65 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 114 UYU (2.86 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 98.92 UYU (2.48 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 124 UYU (3.12 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 70.9 UYU (1.78 USD). Dairy prices in Uruguay, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 50.3 UYU (1.26 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 555 UYU (13.89 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 453 UYU (11.35 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 198 UYU (4.96 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 147 UYU (3.67 USD) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)4.26 USD
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)2.31 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)4.51 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)3.76 USD
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)12.53 USD
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course58.87 USD
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant17.02 USD
Water (0.33 liter bottle)1.63 USD

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Uruguay vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 170 UYU (4.26 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 92.41 UYU (2.31 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 500 UYU (12.53 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 2350 UYU (58.87 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 679 UYU (17.02 USD).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)63.88 USD
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)1.35 USD
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)12.61 USD
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)3.28 USD
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)1.62 USD

How much does transportation cost in Uruguay?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 54 UYU (1.35 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 2550 UYU (63.88 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 64.5 UYU (1.62 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 131 UYU (3.28 USD).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L1.22 USD
Gasoline 1L1.99 USD

Fuel prices in Uruguay

Average fuel prices in Uruguay are 79.44 UYU (1.99 USD) per liter of gasoline and 48.5 UYU (1.22 USD) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat10.77 USD
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult62.09 USD
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)17.85 USD

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre635 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre502 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre1 113 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre841 USD

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Uruguay?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Uruguay varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 20048 UYU (502 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 25347 UYU (635 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 132445 UYU (3318 USD) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre3 318 USD
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre3 245 USD

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)1 048 USD

Hotel Prices in Uruguay

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

What is the average cost of a hotel room?

Accommodation prices in Uruguay vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Montevideo (December 2024) ranges from 1237 UYU (31 USD) per night in a hostel to about 5013 UYU (126 USD) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 9515 UYU (238 USD) upwards.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
4
61.25 USD
Youki Haus
18
126 USD
Days Inn Montevideo
11
185 USD
Don Boutique Hotel Montevideo
3
291 USD
Hotel Montevideo - Leading Hotels of the World
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices for products and services in Montevideo. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 07/2025.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs uruguay

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