Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Puerto Montt $6.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.90
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.90
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.90
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.90
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.11
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $30
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $10Puerto Montt $21
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 $22Puerto Montt $14
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Puerto Montt $4.49
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 Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Puerto Montt?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Puerto Montt. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Montt this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Montt during summer. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCartagena 29°C (84°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Puerto Montt. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
In the autumn, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin April. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cartagena usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Monttin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCartagena 27°C (81°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In January, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin July. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during winter. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCartagena 27°C (81°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt and Cartagena during the spring 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 Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the spring, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin October. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Monttin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCartagena 28°C (82°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.