A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colonia del Sacramento vs. Banos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Banos?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Banos can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Banos?

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.

Banos

Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.

Which place is cheaper, Banos or Colonia del Sacramento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $69, while the average daily cost in Banos is $46. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Colonia del Sacramento and Banos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $35
    Banos $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $70
    Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Banos

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Banos? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento


Hotels in Banos


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and Banos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $18
    Banos $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
  • Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
  • Colonia: WINE tour ( transfer,visit,wine and cheese tasting): $178

Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Banos?

Prices for flights to both Banos and Colonia del Sacramento change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $19
    Banos $15

Typical Food prices in Banos

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:


  • Dinner
    $13
  • Ice cream
    $1.50
  • Coffee
    $2.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
    Banos $19

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:

  • Group Economic City Tour in Portuguese: $10
  • City Tour at sunset in Historic Neighborhood: $12
  • Museums Entry Ticket: $14
  • Goup Walking Tour - spanish only: $16
  • Boat Tour Experience - Colonia del Sacramento: $39
  • Colonia del Sacramento:Custom Private Tour with local guide: $45
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $49
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $54
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $65
  • From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $140
  • Wine Lovers - Colonia Wine Experience! : $170

Typical Entertainment prices in Banos

Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two Rented Bikes for the Day
    $10
  • Cost to see Waterfall
    $2.00
  • Day at the Spa
    $45
  • 2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)
    $10
  • Entrance to Waterfall
    $2.00

Tours and Activities in Banos

Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
  • 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
  • 3 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $40
  • 5-Hour Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $62
  • Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
  • Adventure in Baños 3 Days 2 Nights: $225
  • Amazon Tour in Ecuador: Puyo Day Trip from Baños: $85
  • Animalpark | Theme Park | Tours | funny | Ecuador: $34
  • Animalpark | Theme Park | Tours | naturally fun: $25
  • Baños Ecuador Biking Tour Waterfalls USD 30.00: $46
  • Baths Nature and Adventure 2 Days.: $190
  • Canopies | Tibetan Bridge | Via Ferrata | Extreme Tours 3 Activities in 1: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.90
    Banos $9.74

Sample the Local Flavors in Colonia del Sacramento

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colonia del Sacramento:

  • Wine Tour - Visit to traditional Uruguayan winery: $114

Typical Alcohol prices in Banos

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $4.00


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Banos, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Banos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Banos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banos 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 Colonia del Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colonia del Sacramento than you might in Banos.

Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Banos?

Colonia del Sacramento is bigger, and its population is about 2.3 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the population of Colonia del Sacramento vs. Banos, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Colonia del Sacramento vs. Banos Travel Comparison

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