Which place is cheaper, Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Colonia del Sacramento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Colonia del Sacramento? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Puerto Iguazu or Colonia del Sacramento?
Puerto Iguazu
Puerto Iguazu is located in the northeastern part of Argentina at the border with Paraguay and Brazil. It is a tourist city and travel destination because of its close proximity to Iguazu Falls, which is only 18 kilometers away. Much of the city's infrastructure has grown to maintain the tourist crowds that come to see the falls. The town itself has a population of slightly over 80,000.
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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
-
Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesColonia del Sacramento Prices
Uruguay Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $59Colonia del Sacramento $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $59, while the average daily cost in Colonia del Sacramento is $79. 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 Puerto Iguazu and Colonia del Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $42Colonia del Sacramento $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $84Colonia del Sacramento $66
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Colonia del Sacramento
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu 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.
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: Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices and Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.22Colonia del Sacramento $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
- Falls Package Both Sides with Transfers: $160
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $21
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers: $166
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $22
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers: $60
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Colonia del Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Colonia del Sacramento and Puerto Iguazu 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 dayPuerto Iguazu $6.59Colonia del Sacramento $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $34
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $36
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner: $125
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $130
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $152
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $155
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
- Iguazu Falls: Argentina Side Tour with Dinner & Tango Show: $278
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $35Colonia del Sacramento $23
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2Day Iguazu Tour HELICOPTER Ride & Airfare from Buenos Aires: $1,290
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour From Argentina and Brazil: $260
- Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $275
- Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $261
- Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $145
- Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $96
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $77
- Cataratas Iguazu Argentinas Tour and Great Adventure on boats tour: $80
- City Tour in Iguassu from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $90
- Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
- Fly Park Iguazú: Extreme Adventure in the Misiones Jungle: $75
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $8.22Colonia del Sacramento $5.63
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Colonia del Sacramento, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Iguazu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Iguazu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Iguazu 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 Puerto Iguazu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Colonia del Sacramento?
Puerto Iguazu has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu 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.
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.