Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Pucon?
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 Pucon can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Pucon?
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.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Pucon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Pucon $19
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
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $40
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $128
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by MiniSuv: $106
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $10Pucon $38
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
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $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
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $67
- Dinner on a boat at Cartagena Bay: $68
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Pucon $37
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.29
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.42
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.11
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.33
- Old Town & Artists' Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.48
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Pucon $27
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 and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $45
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Pucon?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Pucon, 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 Pucon?
Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In July, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Puconin January. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Pucon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Puconin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCartagena 29°C (84°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon 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.
Cartagena is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.
In the autumn, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Puconin April. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually gets more rain in October than Puconin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCartagena 27°C (81°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the winter, Cartagena is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during winter. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Puconin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCartagena 27°C (81°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Pucon. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Puconin October. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the spring, Cartagena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puconin October. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. Cartagena usually gets less rain in April than Puconin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCartagena 28°C (82°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.