Which place is cheaper, Cali or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cartagena and Cali can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Cali?
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.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $45Cali $24
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $45, while the average daily cost in Cali is $24. 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 Cartagena and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $26Cali $5.76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $52Cali $12
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Cali? 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 and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.14Cali $5.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- luxury private Vehicle, airport/hotel transfer or viceversa: $35
- 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
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena APT-HTL(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $15
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $22
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $14
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $22
- Transfer from Rafael Nuñez Airport to Cartagena Hotel Zone: $20
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $33
- Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $49
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $102
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $98
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $175
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $241
- Cali Tour Privado x8 horas con Transfers: $359
- Cali to or from Buenaventura Private Transfer: $86
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $140
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and Cartagena 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 dayCartagena $9.36Cali $8.20
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 In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $38
- 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: $42
- Street Food Cooking Class, Mojito making & Fruit tasting: $50
- Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $51
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
- Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $20Cali $10
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
- Cartagena Efoil FliteBoard Experience in Fenix Beach 1H: $150
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Blanca Private tour : $148
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $156
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $95
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 1 Hour Efoil FliteScooter Experience in Fenix Beach Cartagena : $120
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Cali: $13
- Gastronomic Tour at the Alameda Market Shared: $13
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Ceramic Workshop for Tourists: $17
- Weed Tour: Cali's Cannabis culture and smoke spots: $30
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- RiCo Salsa Tour: Cali Real: $32
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $35
- Medicinal Plant Private Tour in La Galeria Alameda of Cali: $35
- Walking tour of the historic center: $37
- Afro Walking Tour. THE COLORS OF CALI.: $39
- Craft beer tour in Cali: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $8.78Cali $8.12
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 Getsemaní: $18
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $21
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
- Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $57
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $64
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Cali, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cartagena Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Cali, 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.