Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Guadalajara?
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 Guadalajara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Guadalajara $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $156
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $153
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $128
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $108
- Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by MiniSuv: $106
- Full-Day Beach at the Bora Bora Club with Transfer (Adults only): $105
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
- Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Airport to City Transfer: $151
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $240
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $10Guadalajara $48
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: $43
- 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
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Guadalajara $28
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
- 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
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers: $61
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
- KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
- Guadalajara City Tour: $20
- Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
- ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
- Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
- Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $32
- Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Private Walking Tour of Guadalajara: $36
- Private City Sightseeing Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Guadalajara $18
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
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $71
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cartagena is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Cartagena Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Guadalajara, 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.