Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Mazatlan $21
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: $128
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $37
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $10Mazatlan $34
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Mazatlan $9.59
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Totumo Mud Volcano Experience: $0.21
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.02
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.23
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.52
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
- Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
- El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
- Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
- Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
- Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Mazatlan $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Mazatlan, we can see that Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Mazatlan?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan 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, the summer months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during summer. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. In July, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In the autumn, Cartagena is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Mazatlan during winter. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Mazatlan. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the spring for the beaches.
Cartagena is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the spring, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlan. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
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.