Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cartagena or Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Los Angeles?
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.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
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 Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Los Angeles $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $258. 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 Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Los Angeles $140
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Los Angeles $280
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49Los Angeles $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
-
Hotel Parking for a Day$22
-
Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sta. Monica Private Transfer To or From Los Angeles Airport/Cruise Port.: $71
- Airport Transfer: $220
- Airport transfer/transfer to any place: $150
- Arrival Private Transfer: LAX Airport to Anaheim Resort Area: $195
- Beverly Hills Transfers: $150
- Cruise Terminal to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Luxury Car: $272
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Luxury SUV: $195
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $272
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Los Angeles - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $164
- Hollywood Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios or Burbank.: $39
- Hollywood to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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
-
Food Meals for one dayCartagena $9.82Los Angeles $60
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 Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
-
Burritos for Two$15
-
Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings: $75
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $82
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $88
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- West Hollywood Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $89
- LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Downtown Los Angeles Walking Food Tour with Six Taste: $110
- Night Cruise in Marina del Rey with Dinner: $124
- Vegan African Dinner Party in Playa Del Ray: $132
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Los Angeles $82
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 Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
-
Bowling$13
-
Hollywood Tour for Two$30
-
Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Los Ángeles self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Hollywood Secrets: In App Audio Tour at the Famous District: $5.00
- Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Chinatown Self-Guided Audio Tour (ENG): $5.40
- The Heart of Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Self-Guide Tour in Culver City: $5.99
- LA: Broad Museum & Downtown Walk In-App Audio Tour: $7.00
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Smartphone Ghost Tour: $7.31
- Pacific Coast Hwy (LA Santa Maria): Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.31
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $7.99
- Beverly Hills Walking In-App Audio Tour: $9.00
- Getty Center In-App Audio Tour (ENG, ES): $9.00
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21Los Angeles $15
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 Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Salsa Lesson, Burlesque and Mojitos : $149
- Salsa Lesson and Burlesque Show: $149
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Los Angeles. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Cartagena is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cartagena in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 72°F (22°C).
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than Los Angeles. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Los Angeles in the Autumn?
Both Los Angeles and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Los Angeles in the Winter?
Both Los Angeles and Cartagena during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.
Cartagena is much warmer than Los Angeles in the winter. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Los Angeles. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Los Angeles in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Los Angeles. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Cartagena is much warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cartagena in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 61°F (16°C).
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Los Angeles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 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.