Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur 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 del Sur?
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 del Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur?
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 del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $53. 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 del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur? 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 del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17San Juan del Sur $18
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur 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 del Sur $18
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $24San Juan del Sur $15
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
Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Maderas, San Juan del Sur also in Costa Rica: $90
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento is in South America and San Juan del Sur is in Central 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 San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 Colonia del Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colonia del Sacramento than you might in San Juan del Sur.
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 del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur?
Colonia del Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan del Sur, 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 del Sur?
Colonia del Sacramento has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan del Sur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
Both San Juan del Sur and Colonia del Sacramento during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round.
In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in January average around 25°C (77°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Colonia del Sacramento. In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Surin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.
San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than San Juan del Surin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than San Juan del Surin October. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (65°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Colonia del Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Surin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as San Juan del Sur. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than San Juan del Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than San Juan del Surin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.
Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than San Juan del Surin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
Both San Juan del Sur and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than San Juan del Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in October average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. 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 San Juan del Sur during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than San Juan del Surin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.