Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Beijing or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Cartagena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Beijing or Cartagena?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $77Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Beijing and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $39Cartagena $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $78Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.63Cartagena $7.49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$4.71
-
Train from Airport for Two$6.90
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.28
-
2 Metro Passes$2.21
-
Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
- Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
- Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Private Tour: Forbidden City with Round Airport transfers: $198
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- 1-Way Private Transfer between Beijing Airport and City Hotels: $30
- 4-Hour Huanghuacheng Great Wall Sunset Tour with Airport Transfer: $160
- 5 Hours Round Trip Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall: $70
- Acrobatic Show at Red Theater With Private Transfer: $45
- Acrobatics Show with Private Driver Service and Hotel Round Transfer: $65
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing : $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $21Cartagena $9.82
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.83
-
Hot Pot Dinner$6.90
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
-
Watermelon$1.93
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
-
Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Deal 20% off Beijing Nango HotSpring Water World with Dinner: $38
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $24Cartagena $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.28
-
Two Opera Tickets$59
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.66
-
Forbidden City (for 2)$17
-
Forbidden City Tickets$17
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Summer Palace Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Temple of Heaven Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Hutongs Free Walking Tour : $5.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Panda House+City Attractions or Mutianyu Day Tour: $7.19
- Temple of Heaven Ticket: $7.90
- Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
- Summer Palace+Ming Tombs/Heaven Temple/China National Museum Tour: $8.00
- Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Confucius Temple and Imperial College Entrance Ticket : $8.00
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Cartagena $9.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $162
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
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: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Cartagena, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Cartagena?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Cartagena?
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Beijing or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Beijing is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Cartagena. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Cartagena. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In April, Beijing is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Beijing
| Beijing | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.