Which place is cheaper, Houston or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Houston?
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 Houston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Houston?
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.
Houston
The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston is a sprawling urban center that has grown from its wealth in the oil industry. Visitors today are drawn to its cultural diversity which has additionally made Houston a foodie destination. Other attractions to Houston include its proximity to NASA's Space Center Houston on the Gulf coast, and its Downtown which features a vibrant museum and arts scene, shopping, and dining.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Houston $262
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Houston is $262. 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 Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Houston? 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 Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Business Car: $106
- Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Luxury SUV: $109
- George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $194
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Arrival Private Transfer: $169
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): Transfer to Houston: $349
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $81
- Round-Trip Shuttle Transfer to NASA Space Center: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston 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 $9.82Houston $35
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $87
- Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour: $90
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Houston $14
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sights of Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
- Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $9.00
- Downtown In App Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $10
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $12
- Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
- Houston Astros Baseball Game Ticket at Minute Maid Park: $16
- Austin & Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $17
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Houston with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Family Guy Experience - Houston: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21Houston $13
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 Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
- Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour : $71
- Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Houston, 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 Houston?
Houston 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 Houston in the Summer?
Both Houston and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In July, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Houston. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Houston in the Autumn?
Both Houston and Cartagena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Cartagena is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).
Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually gets more rain in October than Houston. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Houston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In January, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Houston. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Houston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Houston. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.
Cartagena is a little warmer than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Cartagena usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.