Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or New Orleans?
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 New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48New Orleans $239
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27New Orleans $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49New Orleans $51
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 New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
- 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
- Boss Be Luxury Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $121
- Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp w/Transfer: $155
- Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer : $82
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $9.82New Orleans $45
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 New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21New Orleans $55
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 New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
- Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21New Orleans $60
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 New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or New Orleans?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as New Orleans. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to New Orleans 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 New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Cartagena usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or New Orleans in the Autumn?
Both New Orleans 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 New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Cartagena is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
It's quite sunny in New Orleans. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or New Orleans in the Winter?
Both New Orleans 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cartagena is much warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or New Orleans in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.
In April, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Cartagena
| Cartagena | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.