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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Cozumel?

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 Cozumel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Cozumel?

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.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cozumel 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.

  • Colonia del Sacramento Prices
    Uruguay Prices
    Cozumel Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Colonia del Sacramento $78
    Cozumel $133

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $78, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $133. 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 Cozumel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $33
    Cozumel $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $66
    Cozumel $138
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Cozumel

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel


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 Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    Cozumel $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

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

  • Private Transfer Colonia to Carmelo (or vice - versa): $290
  • Colonia del Sacramento Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $68
  • Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer: $21
  • Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wild Jade Cavern ATV Tour With Transfer: $56
  • The Ultimate Beachside Cigar Rolling Experience with transfer: $132
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port: $76
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $91
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels: $76
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $66
  • Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $66
  • Off Road ATV Tour with Caverns, Cedral & Beach Time with Transfer: $56
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • Private Round Trip Transfer Point A to Point B: $190

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

Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 $31
    Cozumel $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
  • Cozumel Small-Group Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $85
  • Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $89
  • Kuza Beach & Flavors Experience-Mexican cooking Class & Beach Day: $89
  • Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $110
  • Cozumel Cooking Class: $115
  • Romantic Gourmet Dinner Experience at Pirate Ship in Cozumel: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $23
    Cozumel $44

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:

  • Authentic Colony on Walking Tour of Its Historic Quarter: $20
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • Candombe experience: $35
  • Candombe in Colonia: an immersive experience with the local community: $75
  • Cerros de San Juan Winery Tour – Tastings & History: $461
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
  • Cologne Experiences : Cologne Historic Quarter Private Tour: $75
  • Cologne Südstadt: Group Bike Tour with Cheese and Craft Beer: $65
  • Colonia Walking Tour & Chivito Lunch at Casa Páez Vilaró: $55
  • Colonia del Sacramento Full City Tour: $81
  • Colonia del Sacramento Historical Tour Duration of 1 hour: $13
  • Colonia del Sacramento Tourist Bus Hop On Hop Off: $20

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.

  • 10 Experiences Original: $236
  • 2 Hours ATV Jungle, Caverns and Mayan Ruins Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán: $79
  • 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Cozumel with Pickup: $95
  • ATV Adventure of Jade Cave El Cedral with Tequila Tasting: $90
  • ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
  • ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
  • ATV Tour El Viejo y Yo Beach Pass with Lunch, Snorkel and Kayaks: $110
  • ATV Tour and Cenote Experience in Cozumel: $95
  • ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
  • Adrenaline on Wheels Double ATV Tour in El Cedral: All Inclusive: $68

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.61
    Cozumel $11

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 Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $54
  • Cozumel Walking Tour & Craft Brewery Experience: $69
  • Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $89
  • Cozumel's First Distillery: Exclusive Craft Rum & Gin Tasting: $99
  • Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110
  • Cozumel Rum Tasting & Distillery Experience: $119


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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 Cozumel 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Cozumel?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Cozumel, 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.