Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Cartagena?
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 Abu Dhabi and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Cartagena?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Cartagena $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $44. 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 Abu Dhabi and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Cartagena $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Cartagena? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Cartagena $7.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Qasr Al Watan/King Palace Abu Dhabi with Entry Ticket & Transfer: $140
- Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $89
- Abu Dhabi : Private Half Day Guided Tour - Transfer Included: $125
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $103
- Abu Dhabi Airport Departure Transfer (Abu Dhabi Hotels to Abu Dhabi Airport): $135
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer: $19
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Bus transfer between Cartagena airport and center: $4.36
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.35
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.35
- Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $7.35
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.35
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.35
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $7.55
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $10
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $10
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $45Cartagena $9.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $37
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $59
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $63
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Street food tour Cartagena: $24
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $41
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $49
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Cartagena $20
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Louvre Join an Express Tour: $14
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
- Skip the Line Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum General Admission Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket and Abu Dhabi Welcome Pass: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Ticket with Tour Bus and Data: $18
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bay Tour by Sports Boat: $0.02
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $6.95
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $8.75
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $8.75
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.75
- Barù Island Playa Blanca with tourist guide: $9.13
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.54
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Shared Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Cartagena: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Cartagena $8.60
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $18
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
- Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $54
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $62
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Cartagena, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Cartagena is in South 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Cartagena, 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 Abu Dhabi or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Cartagena. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Abu Dhabi is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Abu Dhabi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Abu Dhabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.