Which place is cheaper, Lima or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Lima? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
Prices for flights to both Lima 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Lima has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Lima, 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Lima. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The autumn brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Lima. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cartagena usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Lima. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Cartagena is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Both Lima and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Lima. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Cartagena is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Both Lima and Cartagena during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the spring, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Lima. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
In April, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Cartagena | Lima | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |