A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colonia del Sacramento vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, San Cristobal de Las Casas 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
    San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Colonia del Sacramento $79
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $107

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $79, while the average daily cost in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $107. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $33
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $66
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $84
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and San Cristobal de Las Casas

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or San Cristobal de Las Casas? 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas


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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

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

  • Wine Tour to Cerros de San Juan Winery + Lunch & Transfer: $225
  • Private Transfer Colonia to Carmelo (or vice - versa): $290
  • Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
  • Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas

Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Prices for flights to both San Cristobal de Las Casas 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
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $37

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas

For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • City Tour with Dinner Pizza and Wine: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $23
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $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:

  • Barrio Sur Tour: Explore Colonia del Sacramento at Sunset: $35
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • Candombe in Colonia: an immersive experience with the local community: $75
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
  • City tour by vehicle throughout the city and visit to the Plaza de Toros.: $80
  • Colonia : Tour Barrio Sur UNESCO World Heritage Site with a local guide: $25
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $68
  • City Tour Walking and Van Tour: $50
  • Guided City Tour: $59
  • Historical Walking Tour: $27
  • Small Group City Tour: $60
  • Top-Rated Shared Walking Tour: $22

Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas

For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure through the Grottos del Arcotete, and Rancho Nuevo: $39
  • Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $42
  • Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $61
  • Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $156
  • Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $71
  • From San Cristobal : Sima Tour of the Cotorras and El Aguacero: $112
  • From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $83
  • Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
  • Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
  • Maya Cultural Tour From San Cristobal: Chamula, Zinacantan: $45
  • Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $48
  • Palenque Archaelogical Site, Agua Azul and Misolha Waterfalls Combo Tour: $105

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.64
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $27

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: $28
  • Colonia del Sacramento Private Walking Tour with Cheese and Wine Tasting: $97
  • Private Guided Colonia Wine Tour: $190
  • Indulge in a Scenic Wine Tour from Colonia to Carmelo : $250


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


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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.