Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cartagena?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cartagena can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Cartagena or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$72
Cartagena
$39
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $72, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $39. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $58. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Cartagena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $44. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $22.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $29
Cartagena $22
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$58
Cartagena
$44
Food
In Buenos Aires, Argentina travelers spend around $23 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Cartagena travelers spend around $7.98 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
-
Lunch
$0.22
-
Cup of Coffee
$0.13
-
Empandas
$0.16
-
Espresso
$0.08
-
Dinner (Pizza)
$0.13
-
Ice Cream
$0.12
-
Breakfast at Airport
$0.33
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.09
-
Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
-
Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
-
Lunch for 2
$1.45
-
Cake and Coffee
$4.67
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Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.02
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Lunch
$7.35
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
-
Cartagena Cuisine Cooking Experience:
$30
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BIKE & BITE food tour:
$52
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Street food tour with Julie:
$64
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Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City:
$66
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Street Food & Local Food Tour:
$66
-
SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class:
$81
-
Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena:
$92
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Cartagena - Food Tour:
$100
-
Caribbean Cuisine Cooking Class:
$105
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Shared Local Cooking Class and Lunch in Cartagena:
$110
-
Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$115
-
Colombian Cooking Workshop:
$201
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $11 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Cartagena is $6.09 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $11
Cartagena $6.09
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
-
Taxi from Airport
$1.17
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.31
-
Taxi
$0.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
-
Air Conditioning Bus transfer:
$8.00
-
Cartagena Airport Transfer (in and out) - Touristic Area Hotels - Sedan:
$34
-
Cartagena Arrival or Departure Transfer: Airport / Cruise Ship Terminal:
$13
-
Cartagena Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport:
$17
-
Cartagena Private Transfer from El Laguito to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport:
$17
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by 2x4 Car:
$72
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan:
$96
-
Hotel to Airport Transportation in Cartagena (transfer service):
$14
-
One way private water transfer between Cartagena and the Islands (6 ppl max):
$530
-
PRIVATE Transfer from the AIRPORT to the hotel.:
$19
-
PRIVATE Transfer from the cruise terminal.:
$13
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PRIVATE Transfer from the hotel to the Rafael Nuñez AIRPORT:
$16
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.
Entertainment
Buenos Aires, Argentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Cartagena's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
Cartagena $17
Typical Entertainment prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Cartagena de Indias: Into the Walls of The City Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.34
-
Cartagena de Indias: India Catalina to Plaza Santo Domingo Audio Tour - VoiceMap:
$5.34
-
Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. Cartagena Sensorial Tour:
$6.99
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Monasterio de la Popa, tickets de entrada:
$7.00
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Cartagena City Tour By Bicycle:
$8.00
-
City Tour Cartagena With Bazurto Market:
$8.00
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Free walking tour Gethsemane old town & Forever colonial:
$10
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Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias):
$10
-
Cartagena Ryhtm & Sunset - Musical experience:
$12
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Virtual Cartagena LiteraTour through Nobel Garcia Marquez work:
$15
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Chiva Party Bus Tour in Cartagena:
$18
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City Sightseeing Cartagena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Shore Excursion:
$18
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cartagena may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.48 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
-
Beer
$0.10
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.17
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$5.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cartagena, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buenos Aires, Argentina than you might in Cartagena.
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