Which place is cheaper, Orlando or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Orlando?
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 Orlando can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Orlando?
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.
Orlando
Orlando is a haven for tourists from the entire United States and abroad. The most famous sight in Orlando, Walt Disney World, is not actually located in the city at all, but in nearby Lake Buena Vista. The area attracts over 50 million visitors a year and the city's sprawling development has created amenities and entertainment options for tourists of all ages.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Orlando $321
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Orlando is $321. 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 Orlando in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Orlando $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Orlando $308
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Orlando
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Orlando? 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 Orlando Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49Orlando $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Orlando
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:
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Parking$14
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Taxi Ride$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Orlando
Also for Orlando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer Service in Orlando Hotel to Airport (MCO): $96
- Arrival Private Transfer: Orlando Airport MCO to Orlando in Luxury SUV: $98
- Door to Door Shuttle Transfer from Orlando to Miami: $80
- Hotel near Universal to Sanford Intl. Airport (SFB) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- MCO Airport Private Transfer to/from Kennedy Space Center: $212
- One Way Luxury Transfer to the Cruise Dream: $245
- One Way Private Transfer from MCO to Orlando Hotels : $31
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Canaveral Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Miami Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $128
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Miami accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $256
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Orlando - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Orlando Airport (MCO) to Orlando - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Orlando?
Prices for flights to both Orlando 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 $9.82Orlando $65
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 Orlando
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:
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Lunch for Two at Epcot$29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Orlando
For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show: $38
- Tastes of the World Food Tour in Winter Haven : $50
- Señor Frogs Lunch / Dinner Package: $50
- Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe with Live Music: $58
- Downtown Murder Mystery Walking Dinner Tour: $66
- Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show, Orlando: $69
- Polynesian Fire Luau with Dinner and Live Show: $75
- Pirates Dinner Adventure - Top Orlando Dinner Attraction: $78
- Teatro Martini Dinner Show in Orlando: $79
- Food Tour of Local Orlando's Ivanhoe Village : $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Orlando $204
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 Orlando
For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Universal Studios for Two$110
Tours and Activities in Orlando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
- Orlando Icon Park Adventure Room Ticket: $12
- 7-D Dark Ride Entry Ticket: $12
- Skip the Line: Museum of Military History Ticket: $12
- Orlando, FL: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Old Town Entertainment District Attraction Tickets: $15
- Orlando City Pride- National Women's Soccer League Tickets: $17
- Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf Entry Ticket: $18
- Lonely Dog Immersive Art Storytelling Experience: $20
- Experience Zero Latency Virtual Reality in Max Action Arena: $20
- West Orange Trail 10 Mile Private Bike Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $20
- Chocolate Kingdom Factory Adventure Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21Orlando $30
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 Orlando
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:
- Orlando Virtual Bar Crawl & Scavenger Hunt: $12
- Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Pontoon Pub Crawl, 5 Lakeside Pubs and Restaurants Visit by Boat: $85
- Chef's Table and Wine Tasting Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Orlando, we can see that Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando 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 Orlando Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Orlando?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Orlando, 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 Orlando?
Orlando 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 Orlando in the Summer?
Both Orlando and Cartagena during the summer 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 summer months attract visitors to Orlando because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cartagena is generally around the same temperature as Orlando. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in July than Orlando. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Orlando 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Orlando in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Orlando. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Orlando this time of year.
Cartagena is a little warmer than Orlando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Orlando fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
Orlando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Orlando. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Orlando 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Orlando in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Orlando. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cartagena is much warmer than Orlando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Orlando averages at about 59°F (15°C).
Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Orlando. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Orlando 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Orlando in the Spring?
Both Orlando and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In April, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Orlando. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Orlando. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Orlando 72°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Orlando and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Orlando | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.