A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cartagena vs. Nashville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cartagena or Nashville?

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 Nashville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cartagena or Nashville?

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.

Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Cartagena?

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 Nashville is $172. 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 Nashville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cartagena $27
    Nashville $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cartagena $54
    Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Nashville

Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Nashville? 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.

Hotels in Cartagena


Hotels in Nashville


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 Nashville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cartagena $7.49
    Nashville $21

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville

Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
  • Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
  • Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Nashville?

Prices for flights to both Nashville 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 day
    Cartagena $9.82
    Nashville $41

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 Nashville

For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Neighborhood Food Tour on E-bikes: $79
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $94
  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $94
  • Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $113
  • General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $138

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cartagena $21
    Nashville $27

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

Tours and Activities in Nashville

For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Music City Self-Guided Walking Tour w/ Audio App: $6.75
  • Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Wander Nashville- Guided Historic Walking Tour: $10
  • Music History Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Explore Nashville's Melodies: An In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Private Tour: $13
  • Downtown Nashville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
  • Explore Haunted Downtown Walking Tour in Nashville : $20
  • Downtown Nashville Sightseeing Walking Tour with Ice Cream : $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cartagena $9.21
    Nashville $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 Nashville

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:

  • Nashville's Annual New Year's Eve Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
  • Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
  • Music City Pub Crawl: $25
  • Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
  • Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Nashville's Honky-Tonk Walking Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $31
  • Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
  • Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Lost Spirits: Murder True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Nashville?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Nashville, 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 Nashville?

Nashville 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 Nashville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Nashville. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Nashville in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cartagena is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

Cartagena usually gets less rain in July than Nashville. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F) 
    Nashville 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Cartagena or Nashville in the Autumn?

Both Nashville 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, most visitors come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Cartagena is much warmer than Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Cartagena. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Nashville. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F) 
    Nashville 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Cartagena or Nashville in the Winter?

Both Nashville 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 winter months attract visitors to Nashville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Nashville can be very cold. In the winter, Cartagena is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Nashville. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F) 
    Nashville 38°F (4°C)

Should I visit Cartagena or Nashville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Nashville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.

In April, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Nashville. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F) 
    Nashville 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Nashville and Cartagena

Cartagena Nashville
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 62°F (16°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
May 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 70°F (21°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 81°F (27°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 43°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)