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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John?

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 Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John?

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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

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

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

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

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John in the Summer?

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

Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in January than Saint Johnin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

Saint John 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 Saint Johnin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John in the Winter?

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

In July, Colonia del Sacramento is generally much colder than Saint Johnin January. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than Saint Johnin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John in the Spring?

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

Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Colonia del Sacramento