Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town 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: Cape Town or Cartagena?
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
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 Camping Tours in South Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, 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 Cape Town and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town 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: Cape Town Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $179
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $149
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $204
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $54
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $28
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town): $54
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Airport Transfer: Cape Town to Cape Town Airport CPT in Luxury Car: $88
- Airport Transfers: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Cape Town 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 dayCape Town $42Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $55
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $61
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $61
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $62
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $70
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.24
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.59
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.14
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.38
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.38
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $5.00
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.32
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.40
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Cartagena $9.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $7.17
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.66
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- Sip 15 Wines on a 3-Region Wine Tour with Cheese: $38
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
- Three Region Wine Tour: $44
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $47
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
- Fullday Wine Tour: $51
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
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 Cape Town and Cartagena, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cape Town is in Africa 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Cape Town Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Cartagena?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town 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 Cape Town or Cartagena?
Cape Town 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 Cape Town or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Cape Town is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in July.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the summer, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Cartagenain July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Cartagenain July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Cape Town is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Town in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Cartagenain October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In July, Cape Town is generally much colder than Cartagenain January. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 13°C (55°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Cape Town often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Cape Town is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.