Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Cabo San Lucas?
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 Cabo San Lucas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Cabo San Lucas?
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Colonia del Sacramento Prices
Uruguay PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $79Cabo San Lucas $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $79, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $169. 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $33Cabo San Lucas $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $66Cabo San Lucas $122
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Cabo San Lucas? 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.
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 Cabo San Lucas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Cabo San Lucas $27
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: $21
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer: $21
- Private Transfer Colonia to Carmelo (or vice - versa): $290
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer in San José del Cabo HTL-APT(SJD): $110
- San Jose del Cabo to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) Departure Transfer: $71
- San Jose Del Cabo hotels to Cabo San Lucas Port - Departure Private Transfer: $142
- Roundtrip Luxury Private Airport and City Transfers.: $170
- Private transfer SJD Airport to San Jose del Cabo Hotels One Way: $100
- Private or Luxury One Way Transfer Airport Los Cabos SJD CSL: $185
- Private Transfer to San Jose del Cabo International Airport: $95
- Private Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Cabo Airport: $220
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Los Cabos 1-10px: $183
- Private Transfer from San Jose Del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas Port: $99
- Private Transfer from SJD to Cabo San Lucas / San Jose del Cabo: $100
- Private Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $31Cabo San Lucas $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $80
- Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $84
- Taste Tacos & Street Food Like a Local: Cabo San Lucas Food Tour: $85
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $89
- Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
- San José del Cabo for Meat Lovers Food Tour: $90
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- The Only Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo with a Live Pirate Show: $98
- Sunset Booze Cruise with Drinks, Fajita Dinner and Party Vibes: $98
- Cabo Pirate Adventure: Family Sunset Dinner & Show: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $23Cabo San Lucas $41
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:
- Top-Rated Group Walking Tour | The City Like a Local: $5.50
- Historic Quarter Walking Tour: $8.00
- Museum Access Ticket (Self-Guided): $9.50
- Walking Tour with a Local Guide Born in the World Heritage Historic District: $11
- Classic Walking Tour in Group: $12
- Colonia del Sacramento Historical Tour Duration of 1 hour: $13
- Historical Walking Tour: $17
- Walking tour around Colonia del Sacramento Old Town: $18
- Walking tour Colonia del Sacramento. ENG, SPA, GER, BY: $19
- Authentic Colony on Walking Tour of Its Historic Quarter: $20
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- Gastronomic Experience: Artisan Wines & Flavors of Uruguay: $29
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Exclusive Cabo San Lucas Trimaran Experience with Snorkeling": $180
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Adventure: $180
- 2 Hour Sunset Tour on Catamaran in Cabo San Lucas: $85
- 2 Hours Horseback Riding Adventure in Cabo: $130
- 2 in 1 Tour | Arc Tour with Beach Drop: $21
- 2-Hour Camel Ride Beach and Desert Adventure Experience: $120
- 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour in Cabo with Breakfast: $130
- 2-Hours Sunset Experience at Los Cabos with Jazz and Bar! from Los Cabos: $165
- 2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up!: $55
- 30-Minute Jetski Adventure in Los Cabos: $65
- 4-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas and Corridor: $109
- 4x4 ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.63Cabo San Lucas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Colonia del Sacramento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colonia del Sacramento:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting - Roots of Colonia del Sacramento: $32
- Private Guided Colonia Wine Tour: $190
- Carmelo from Colonia: Wine Tasting Experience & Lunch at the Zubizarreta Winery: $204
- Indulge in a Scenic Wine Tour from Colonia to Carmelo: $250
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento is in South America and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Colonia del Sacramento.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Cabo San Lucas, 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 along with the activities and attractions 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.