Which place is cheaper, Portland or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Portland?
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 Portland can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49Portland $28
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 Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $9.82Portland $43
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 Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Portland $24
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 Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.99
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
- Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21Portland $17
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 Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Portland?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Portland, 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 Portland?
Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Portland. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Portland. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland 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 Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Cartagena is much warmer than Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Portland. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland 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 Portland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Portland can be very cold. In the winter, Cartagena is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Portland. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or Portland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
In April, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Portland during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Portland. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.