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

Should you visit La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento?

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 La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento?

La Plata

Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Colonia del Sacramento or La Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.84, while the average daily cost in Colonia del Sacramento is $67. 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 La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Plata $3.56
    Colonia del Sacramento $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Plata $7.12
    Colonia del Sacramento $68
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento? 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.

Hotels in La Plata


Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento


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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Plata $2.54
    Colonia del Sacramento $17

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

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Colonia del Sacramento and La Plata 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Plata $3.46
    Colonia del Sacramento $19
Typical Food Prices in La Plata

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.01

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Plata $2.22
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata

For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.01

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
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $59
  • Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $63
  • Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $100
  • Experience an typical Uruguayan dish: Chivito & Tannat Wine: $78
  • Fripp Winery Experience Day Trip-Colonia del Sacramento: $200
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $80
  • From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $150
  • Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200
  • Full gastronomic experience: Uruguayan meat,cheese and wine: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Plata $1.24
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento, 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 La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Colonia del Sacramento.

In January, La Plata is generally around the same temperature as Colonia del Sacramento. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 25°C (77°F), and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Colonia del Sacramento this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, La Plata usually receives around the same amount of rain as Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    La Plata 25°C (77°F) 
    Colonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Colonia del Sacramento.

La Plata is around the same temperature as Colonia del Sacramento in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    La Plata 18°C (65°F) 
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento in the Winter?

Both Colonia del Sacramento and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, La Plata is around the same temperature as Colonia del Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Plata in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Colonia del Sacramento averages at about 12°C (53°F).

La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, La Plata usually receives less rain than Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    La Plata 12°C (53°F) 
    Colonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Colonia del Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Colonia del Sacramento and La Plata during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, La Plata is generally around the same temperature as Colonia del Sacramento. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (64°F), and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 233 hours of full sun.

Colonia del Sacramento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Plata. La Plata usually gets less rain in October than Colonia del Sacramento. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    La Plata 18°C (64°F) 
    Colonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Colonia del Sacramento and La Plata

La Plata Colonia del Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 101 mm (4 in) 24°C (75°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)