Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Cafayate?
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 Cafayate can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Cafayate?
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.
Cafayate
Cafayate is located in the province of Salta, in the central zone of the Valles Calchaquies. The small town has about 12,000 residents and is 1,329 kilometers from Buenos Aires.
People head to the small town of Cafayate to explore its vineyards and unique rock formations. It has become an important tourist destination in the area and there is a large golf course under construction just outside of town.
Cafayate is an important wine production center. The wines in the area thrive from the low humidity mild weather of the valleys. The town receives less than 250 millimeters of precipitation a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $65Cafayate $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $65, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $11. 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 Cafayate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $33Cafayate $4.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $66Cafayate $8.02
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Cafayate
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Cafayate? 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 Cafayate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Cafayate $2.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Cafayate?
Prices for flights to both Cafayate 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
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Food Meals for one dayColonia del Sacramento $18Cafayate $4.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95
Typical Food Prices in Cafayate
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cafayate:
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Dinner (Empanadas)$0.02
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Sandwich$0.01
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Pizza$0.02
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $23Cafayate $4.70
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:
- Almacén de la Capilla - Winery Experience at Carmelo: $204
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $25
- City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
- Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $59
- City Tour Walking and Van Tour: $30
- Complete Tour with Lunch Option: $250
- Group Guide Tour at Historic Town: $28
- Guided City Tour: $59
- Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $137
- Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $86
- Discover why we Love the Colonia Wine Experience : $180
Tours and Activities in Cafayate
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cafayate.
- From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136
- From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
- From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
- From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $61
- From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $134
- Tour Quebrada De Las Conchas - Cafayate - Salta: $25
- Unveiling Premium Wine Road Adventure: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.58Cafayate $4.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Colonia del Sacramento
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colonia del Sacramento:
- Cerros de San Juan: Private Wine tour with transport & lunch: $196
- Indulge in a Scenic Wine Tour from Colonia to Carmelo : $225
- From Carmelo Wine Tasting Tour: $290
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Cafayate, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Cafayate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cafayate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cafayate 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 Cafayate.
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 Cafayate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Cafayate?
Colonia del Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Cafayate. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Cafayate, 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.