Should you visit Asuncion or Colonia del Sacramento?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Colonia del Sacramento, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
Which city is cheaper, Colonia del Sacramento or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $59, while the average daily cost in Colonia del Sacramento is $48. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Asuncion and Colonia del Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Asuncion can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $19, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $38.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $48 in Colonia del Sacramento For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Asuncion $19
Colonia del Sacramento $24
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Asuncion
$38
Colonia del Sacramento
$48
Food
In Asuncion travelers spend around $15 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
While meal prices in Colonia del Sacramento can vary, the average travelers spends about $13 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Colonia del Sacramento should cost around $5.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Colonia del Sacramento is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Asunción Dinner and Show Experience:
$93
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Private Tour: Asuncion at Night with Dinner Show:
$103
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Dinner Show in Asuncion:
$149
Local Transportation
To get around in Asuncion, the average visitor spends $7.68 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
To get around in Colonia del Sacramento, the average visitor spends $12 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Asuncion $7.68
Colonia del Sacramento $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion City to Silvio Pettirosi Airport:
$37
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Transfer in private car from Asuncion City to Asuncion Silvio Pettirosi Airport:
$30
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Round Trip Transfer Silvio Pettirossi Airport (ASU) to Asuncion City Center:
$46
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Asunción Airport:
$47
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Private Arrival Transfer: Asunción Airport to Hotel:
$47
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Private Airport Transfer: from Asuncion to Silvio Pettirossi Int. Airport (ASU):
$26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer:
$15
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Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer:
$15
Entertainment
In Asuncion, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $14 per person, per day.
In Colonia del Sacramento, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $17 per person, per day.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Asuncion $14
Colonia del Sacramento $17
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2 Hours Catamaran Tour from the Asunción Bay with Audio Guide:
$55
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Asuncion Birding Tour:
$70
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Asunción City Market Tour:
$72
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Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Asunción Small-Group Art and Cultural Walking Tour:
$78
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Birding and Nature Chaco Tour:
$140
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City Tour Asunción:
$48
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Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group:
$110
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Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus:
$99
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Day Tour “Cerrito”:
$231
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Day tour to “National Park Ybycuí”:
$265
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Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”:
$214
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Colonia Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour:
$26
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Colonia del Sacramento City Tour:
$63
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Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour:
$200
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Half day city tour in Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay:
$65
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Half day city tour in Montevideo:
$52
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Asuncion spend on average $9.01 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Colonia del Sacramento spend on average $4.13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Colonia del Sacramento, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Colonia del Sacramento.
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