Which place is cheaper, Tulum 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 Tulum?
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 Tulum can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum?
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.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $122. 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 Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum? 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 Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Tulum $28
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum 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 $19Tulum $34
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
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $24Tulum $32
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 Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85Tulum $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Tulum, we can see that Tulum 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 Tulum 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum?
Colonia del Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and Tulum, 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 Tulum?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Colonia del Sacramento is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as Tulum. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Tulum in the summer. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Tulum fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Colonia del Sacramento this time of the year. In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Tulumin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than Tulumin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 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)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum in the Autumn?
Both Tulum and Colonia del Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Tulum. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Tulum. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. In April, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Tulumin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum in the Winter?
Both Tulum and Colonia del Sacramento during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento is generally much colder than Tulumin January. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 12°C (53°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than Tulumin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.
Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than Tulumin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Tulum in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and Tulum. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.
Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Tulum in the spring. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
Colonia del Sacramento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than Tulumin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.