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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando?

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

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando?

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 Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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 San Fernando, we can see that San Fernando 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 Fernando 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 Fernando Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando?

San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?

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

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando in the Summer?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than San Fernando during summer. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than San Fernandoin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as San Fernando. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.

In April, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than San Fernandoin October. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (65°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than San Fernandoin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Fernando. Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than San Fernandoin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando in the Winter?

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

Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than San Fernando in the winter. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and San Fernando fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than San Fernando during winter. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than San Fernandoin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Fernando in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than San Fernando. Typically, the spring temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in October average around 18°C (64°F), and San Fernando averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Colonia del Sacramento. In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernandoin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in October than San Fernandoin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Fernando and Colonia del Sacramento