Which place is cheaper, Cali or Cartagena?
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 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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Cartagena Prices
Colombia PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $50Cali $29
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $50, while the average daily cost in Cali is $29. 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 $25Cali $5.57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $50Cali $11
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 $6.91Cali $5.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer from your Hotel, Airbnb, home to the Airport: $24
- Transfer from Rafael Nuñez Airport to Cartagena Hotel Zone: $20
- Transfer from Hotels to Rafael Nuñez Cartagena Airport: $18
- Transfer Privado del Aeropuerto de Cartagena (CTG) al Hotel: $25
- Transfer Cartagena : $53
- Transfer Airport/Hotel or Hotel/Airport: $18
- The best private Transfer from/to Cartagena airport. ONE WAY : $23
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer Cartagena (CTG) -Manzanillo / Baru: $33
- Private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Cartagena: $28
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$0.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $31
- Airport Transfers to Cali Hotels: $28
- Alfonso Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
- Alfonso Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Transfer: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $71
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $93
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $166
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $228
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
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 $16Cali $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Street food tour Cartagena: $30
- Food Tour, History & Coffee Experience: $40
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
- Fenix Beach Island Dinner: $60
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Historical Photographic and Street Food Tour: $60
- White night boat tour with dinner and open bar: $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: $22
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Tradicional Pacific Colombian Cooking Class: $49
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $20Cali $9.83
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
- Guided Tour in Turbaco and the Botanical Garden with Lunch: $95
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $65
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $95
- 1 Hour Private Tour in Cartagena City: $180
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $25
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $60
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Tour Cali's Historical Downtown: $8.77
- Shared Tour Cali's Local Food at Alameda Market: $11
- Shared Tour Cali's Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance Experience: $11
- Historical Shared Tour Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance in Cali: $13
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Cali: $13
- Cali Zoo Access Ticket: $14
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $14
- Ceramic Workshop for Tourists: $16
- Walking tour of the historic center: $25
- Comuna 20 Siloé Street Art Tour: $25
- Street Food Walking Tour: $25
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $8.49Cali $7.85
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: $18
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $20
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $23
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $61
- Pub Crawl: $70
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $25
- Salsa Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $41
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $44
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
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.