Is Cartagena expensive to visit?
While Cartagena is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $50. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in South America, many travelers find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of destinations in South America for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Cali and Cuenca.
Cartagena, Colombia
How expensive is Cartagena?
The average cost of traveling to Cartagena can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $50 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Cartagena here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Cartagena?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Cartagena will cost around $151 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $303.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Cartagena?
On average, a one week trip to Cartagena costs about $353 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $707.
Cartagena, Colombia
Is it expensive to backpack in Cartagena?
Cartagena is a popular backpacker destination with more than 60 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $25 per night. (See hostel prices in Cartagena here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $216 and the cheapest around $0 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Cartagena.
- $18 for a dorm bed at Viajero Cartagena - Centro Hostel
- $13 for a dorm bed at Republica Hostel Cartagena
- $8 for a dorm bed at KIM
Are hotels expensive in Cartagena?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Cartagena, it becomes apparent that they are very expensive in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $81 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 7 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $170 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $78 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $46 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Cartagena
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 7 | $170 |
| 4 stars | 51 | $138 |
| 3 stars | 111 | $78 |
| 2 stars | 33 | $46 |
| 1 star | 7 | $67 |
| No rating | 4 | $78 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Cartagena?
Activities and things to do in Cartagena can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $20 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $14.
- Cartagena Streets and Appointments Tour: $40
- Cartagena-Boquilla Bike Ride Adventure: $95
- Private Walking Tour Old City with Street Food: $83
- Cartagena Paragliding Experience : $100
- Extreme ATV Adventure in Cartagena: $170
- Highlights & Iconic Places Tour!: $79
- Cartagena ATV Tours by Bomba Tours: $125
- 5 Hours Rosario Island Tour : $93
Is food expensive in Cartagena?
Food in Cartagena can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $16 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $18. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Street food tour with Julie: $120
- Food Tour, History & Coffee Experience: $34
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $65
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
- SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class: $98
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
Is transportation expensive in Cartagena?
The prices of local transportation in Cartagena can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $7 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $7. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Cartagena
If you're planning a trip to Cartagena, Colombia, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.