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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John's?

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's can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

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's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

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


Which place is cheaper, Saint John's 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 Saint John's is $222. 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 Saint John's in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $34
    Saint John's $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $68
    Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John's? 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 Saint Johns


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    Saint John's $17

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
  • Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John's?

Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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
    Saint John's $68

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
    Saint John's $103

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
  • Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.85
    Saint John's $18


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


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Saint John's?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?

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

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

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

In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento is around the same temperature as Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.

In Saint John's, 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 Saint John'sin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than Saint John'sin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Colonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

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

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

In April, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than Saint John'sin October. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (65°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Saint John's 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 John'sin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

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

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

Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.

Colonia del Sacramento usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint John'sin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Colonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F) 
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

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

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

In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. 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 Saint John's during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John'sin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F) 
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento Saint John's
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)