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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston?

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

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston?

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.

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston 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 $68, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $109. 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 Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $34
    Kingston $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $68
    Kingston $128
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Kingston

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


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 Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    Kingston $30

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161

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

Prices for flights to both Kingston 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
    Kingston $27

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
    Kingston $13

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:

  • Walking tour around Colonia del Sacramento Old Town: $15
  • Goup Walking Tour - Spanish Only: $18
  • Shared City Tour at sunset in Historic Neighborhood: $20
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • Hike at promenade + entry ticket to bullring (Walk 5.5km): $28
  • Winery tour with shared transport and tasting included: $38
  • Shared Boat Tour Experience - Colonia del Sacramento: $43
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
  • Full gastronomic experience: Uruguayan meat,cheese and wine: $55
  • Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $72

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
  • 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.85
    Kingston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185


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


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Kingston, 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.


When is the best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston?

Colonia del Sacramento has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Colonia del Sacramento during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In January, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than Kingstonin July. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 25°C (77°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Colonia del Sacramento. In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Kingstonin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.

Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in January than Kingstonin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Colonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and Kingston. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Kingstonin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as Kingston. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than Kingstonin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.

Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than Kingstonin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Colonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Kingston in the Spring?

Both Kingston and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than Kingstonin April. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (64°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than Kingstonin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)