Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or San Pedro de Atacama?
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 Pedro de Atacama can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or San Pedro de Atacama?
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 Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.
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Colonia del Sacramento Prices
Uruguay PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $79San Pedro de Atacama $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $79, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $74. 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 Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $33San Pedro de Atacama $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $66San Pedro de Atacama $68
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17San Pedro de Atacama $9.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Colonia to Carmelo (or vice - versa): $290
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer: $21
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- To/From El Loa Airport: San Pedro de Atacama Shared Transfer: $28
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
- Shared Transfer to Calama Airport (CJC): $41
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
- Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $120
- Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Atacama Airport Private Transfer: $99
- Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail.: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $31San Pedro de Atacama $27
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.35
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Lunch$11
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Dinner$12
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Drink$1.01
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Empanada$5.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $23San Pedro de Atacama $22
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:
- Authentic Colony on Walking Tour of Its Historic Quarter: $20
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- Candombe experience: $35
- Candombe in Colonia: an immersive experience with the local community: $75
- Cerros de San Juan Winery Tour – Tastings & History: $461
- City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
- Cologne Südstadt: Group Bike Tour with Cheese and Craft Beer: $65
- Colonia Walking Tour & Chivito Lunch at Casa Páez Vilaró: $55
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour: $68
- Colonia del Sacramento Full City Tour: $81
- Colonia del Sacramento Historical Tour Duration of 1 hour: $13
- City Tour Walking and Van Tour: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$60
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Astronomical Adventure in San Pedro de Atacama": $35
- 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $220
- 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $181
- 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
- 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
- 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198
- 5 Fantastic Tours in the Atacama Desert in 3 Days: $216
- 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $51
- ASTRONOMICAL TOUR: $48
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.63San Pedro de Atacama $5.29
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: $32
- Private Guided Colonia Wine Tour: $190
- Carmelo from Colonia: Wine Tasting Experience & Lunch at the Zubizarreta Winery: $204
- Indulge in a Scenic Wine Tour from Colonia to Carmelo: $250
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$26
Sample the Local Flavors in San Pedro de Atacama
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Pedro de Atacama:
- Stargazing Tour with Photos and Wine Tasting: $41
When comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or San Pedro de Atacama?
Colonia del Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.
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.