Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan?
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 Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan?
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 Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan? 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.
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 Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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
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Food Meals for one dayColonia del Sacramento $19San Juan $36
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 Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $24San Juan $49
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:
- Almacén de la Capilla - Winery Experience at Carmelo: $215
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
- Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
- Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
- Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $89
- Experience an typical Uruguayan dish: Chivito & Tannat Wine: $78
- From Best Private Wine Experience: $185
- From Horse Ride Experience: $72
- From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $150
- Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 Juan 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 Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan, 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 Juan?
Colonia del Sacramento has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during summer. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in April average around 18°C (65°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento is generally much colder than San Juanin January. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than San Juanin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Colonia del Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
In San Juan, 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 less sunshine than San Juanin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 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 Juanin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.