Should you visit Cartagena or Cordoba?
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 Cordoba can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Cordoba
Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.
Which city is cheaper, Cordoba or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $39, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $59. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cartagena and Cordoba in more detail.
Accommodation
Cartagena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $44. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $22.
The prices for places to stay in Cordoba can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $22, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $44.
Food
In Cartagena travelers spend around $7.98 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Cordoba costs travelers about $27 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cartagena $7.98
Cordoba $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
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Cartagena Cuisine Cooking Experience:
$30
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BIKE & BITE food tour:
$52
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Street food tour with Julie:
$64
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Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City:
$66
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Street Food & Local Food Tour:
$66
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SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class:
$81
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Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena:
$92
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Cartagena - Food Tour:
$100
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Caribbean Cuisine Cooking Class:
$105
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Shared Local Cooking Class and Lunch in Cartagena:
$110
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Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$115
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Colombian Cooking Workshop:
$201
Typical Food prices in Cordoba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:
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Empanadas
$0.12
-
Sandwich
$0.04
-
Ice Cream
$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cordoba
For Cordoba, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Cordoba Spanish Cooking Class & Market Tour:
$118
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cartagena is $6.09 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
To get around in Cordoba, the average visitor spends $15 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
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One way private water transfer between Cartagena and the Islands (6 ppl max):
$530
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Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$259
-
Private Transfer from Cartagena to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$249
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Private Transfer Cartagena to Palomino (or vice versa):
$195
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Private transfer to Barranquilla from Cartagena- Traslado privado a Barranquilla:
$170
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan:
$96
-
Transfer to Tayrona Park, Santa Marta or Barranquilla City from Cartagena:
$84
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by 2x4 Car:
$72
-
Private transfer Cartagena airport -Mamonal:
$65
-
Transfer Cartagena:
$50
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Transfer service in Cartagena:
$50
-
Private Transfer: Cartagena to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG):
$40
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cordoba
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba
Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Cordoba Private Arrival Transfer:
$100
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Cordoba Private Departure Transfer:
$100
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Cordoba to Granada Private Transfer:
$275
-
Cordoba to Seville Private Transfer:
$444
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Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver:
$100
-
Private Airport Transfer: Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport (COR):
$19
-
Private Transfer from Córdoba to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$336
-
Private Transfer: Cordoba to Córdoba Airport (ODB):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Córdoba Airport (ODB) to Cordoba:
$622
-
Private transfer from/to Cordoba to/from Malaga:
$261
-
Private transfer in Cordoba from Airport or Train Station:
$75
-
Transfer in Private Car from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport-COR:
$14
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Cordoba?
Prices for flights to both Cordoba 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.
Entertainment
Cartagena's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $17 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
In Cordoba, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $13 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers:
$40
-
4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena:
$103
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6 Hr Cartagena Fishing Experience:
$974
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Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena:
$140
-
Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias):
$10
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Aviario National Park Shared Tour:
$63
-
Bar Tour for Guys and Bachelor Parties:
$20
-
Bazurto Market + La Popa Convent Cartagena City Tour 4H:
$81
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Bazurto Market Half day tour in Cartagena:
$125
-
Biking Tour Cartagena:
$19
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Birdwatching & Photography experience at the National Aviary in Barú:
$279
-
Bolivar Pirate Island Experience with Lunch:
$75
Tours and Activities in Cordoba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.
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Private Walking Tour of the Patios of San Basilio in Cordoba:
$12
-
Cordoba Jewish Quartier Guided Tour:
$15
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Patios of Cordoba Festival Tour:
$15
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Guided Tour of Medina Azahara at Night:
$17
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Alcazar Skip the Line Guided Tour:
$19
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Guided Tour to the Popular Patios of Cordoba:
$19
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Patios tour in Cordoba:
$19
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Alcázar Reyes Cristianos Guided Tour with Tickets & Priority Access:
$19
-
Olive Oil tasting breakfast & Tour:
$19
-
Patios of Cordoba Walking Tour in Spanish:
$20
-
Medina Azahara Tour from Cordoba:
$21
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Cordoba's Authentic Patios: 2-Hour Tour with Tickets:
$22
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cartagena may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.48 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Cordoba, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $10.
Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:
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Evening Wine Tasting Córdoba:
$25
-
Cordoba Mezquita Tour with Wine Tasting:
$35
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Córdoba Rooftop Experience with Wine Tasting:
$107
-
Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita:
$130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Cordoba, we can see that Cordoba 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 Cordoba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cordoba than you might in Cartagena.
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