Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Buzios or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios or Cartagena? 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: Buzios or Cartagena?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Buzios Prices
Brazil PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $93Cartagena $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $93, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $64. 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 Buzios and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $37Cartagena $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $74Cartagena $64
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $19Cartagena $8.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer: $43
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $43
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $87
- Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch and Transfers: $64
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $113
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $113
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $195
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $300
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $292
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $201
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $201
- Private Cartagena Classic Car Airport Transfer: $192
- Cartagena Private Transfer to Santa Marta or Minca or Tayrona: $182
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $180
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $165
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $154
- Bazurto Market Guided Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Buzios 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 dayBuzios $40Cartagena $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $40
- Cartagena Bites & Stories: Local Street Food Tour: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $40
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR with MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR WITH MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $50
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City: $52
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience): $59
- Cartagena Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Flavorful Tastings: $59
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $64
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $26Cartagena $25
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Two Floor Boat Tour with Toboágua Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Stand up paddle experience: $16
- Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $18
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
- Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $34
- Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $35
- Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $40
- Underwater Adventure in Diving and Snorkeling: $49
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour.: $140
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $32
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $135
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $35
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $70
- 3 Private Islands Experience in Cartagena: $120
- 3 Rosario Islands: A tour of the best islands in Cartagena: $135
- 4 Hour Volcan de Lodo Private Tour: $88
- 4 Islands Tour Cartagena with Snorkel, Cholon & Lunch: $75
- 4-Hour Cartagena de Indias Sightseeing Tour: $230
- 4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena: $278
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $17Cartagena $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $30
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Cartagena, we can see that Buzios 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.
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.