Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49Honolulu $26
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
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $273
- Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
- Arrival Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by SUV: $211
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu To Ko'olina: $53
- Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Minivan (up to 5 people): $90
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Minivan (up to 5 people): $70
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
- Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu/ Waikiki - Round-Trip Transfer: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $9.82Honolulu $53
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
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $480
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Honolulu $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
- Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
- Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21Honolulu $6.47
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Honolulu?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Honolulu, 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 Cartagena or Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Cartagena or Honolulu in the Summer?
Both Honolulu and Cartagena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Honolulu in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cartagena is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Honolulu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Honolulu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Honolulu. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cartagena is a little warmer than Honolulu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Honolulu averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In April, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
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.