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 $96Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $96, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $58. 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 $38Cartagena $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $76Cartagena $56
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 $7.90
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: $45
- Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
- Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $89
- Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $117
- Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $117
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $191
- 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
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $217
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $217
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $208
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $208
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $208
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $208
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
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 $42Cartagena $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $36
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $39
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $43
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $27Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
- Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Two Floor Boat Tour with Toboágua Arraial do Cabo: $14
- Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $16
- Stand up paddle experience: $16
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
- Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
- Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
- Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $34
- Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $39
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: $30
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $70
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $80
- 2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat: $21
- 3 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers: $61
- 3 Private Islands Experience in Cartagena: $120
- 3 Rosario Islands: A tour of the best islands in Cartagena: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $18Cartagena $9.71
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-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club): $16
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Ultimate Party Combo Cartagena Sunset Boat Party & Pub Crawl: $57
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
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.