Which place is cheaper, Ilha Grande 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.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Ilha Grande?
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 Ilha Grande can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Ilha Grande?
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.
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Colonia del Sacramento Prices
Uruguay PricesIlha Grande Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $78Ilha Grande $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $78, while the average daily cost in Ilha Grande is $84. 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 Ilha Grande in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $33Ilha Grande $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $66Ilha Grande $74
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Ilha Grande
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Ilha Grande? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Ilha Grande $18
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 Port Terminal Private Transfer: $21
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Regular transfer from Isla Grande (Abraão) x Rio de Janeiro: $48
- Regular transfer from Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $51
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Departure private transfer from Costa do Sol to Rio GIG Airport: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Ilha Grande?
Prices for flights to both Ilha Grande 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 $31Ilha Grande $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $23Ilha Grande $6.62
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 City Tour: $68
- Colonia del Sacramento Full City Tour: $81
- Colonia del Sacramento Historical Tour Duration of 1 hour: $13
Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande
For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A tour of the paradisiacal islands of Angra dos Reis.: $75
- Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $84
- Angra Islands Speedboat Tour from Paraty: $64
- Angra Paradise Islands Speedboat Tour: $90
- Angra Super Blue Lagoon Speedboat Tour: $79
- Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $75
- Boat Adventure through the Super Blue Lagoon in Angra dos Reis: $110
- Diving Adventures in Angra dos Reis: $241
- Escuna Tour to Angra Beaches of Dos Reis & Grand Island: $20
- Explore Paraty with Rafting Adventure: $160
- Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $67
- Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.59Ilha Grande $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
When comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Ilha Grande, we can see that Ilha Grande is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Ilha Grande Expensive?.
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.