A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cartagena vs. Puerto Montt for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Cartagena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $42, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $105. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cartagena $24
    Puerto Montt $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cartagena $48
    Puerto Montt $144
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.

Hotels in Cartagena


Hotels in Puerto Montt


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cartagena $6.62
    Puerto Montt $7.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Private Transfers in air conditioning buses: $7.00
  • Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $8.00
  • Private Transfer From Cartagena Airport to Hotel in the City: $8.00
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena City to Airport: $12
  • Cartagena Arrival or Departure Transfer: Airport / Cruise Ship Terminal: $13
  • PRIVATE Transfer from the cruise terminal.: $13
  • Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
  • Hotel to Airport Transportation in Cartagena (transfer service): $14
  • PRIVATE Transfer from the hotel to the Rafael Nuñez AIRPORT: $16
  • Private Airport Transfer: Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) to Cartagena: $16
  • Private Airport Transfer: Cartagena to Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG): $16
  • Private Transfer from Cartagena City to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport: $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer: Puerto Montt to Puerto Montt - El Tepual Airport (PMC): $25
  • Puerto Montt Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $21
  • Transfer Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $227
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $245
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $53
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $32

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cartagena $8.68
    Puerto Montt $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Cartagena Cuisine Cooking Experience: $30
  • BIKE & BITE food tour: $52
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Street food tour with Julie: $64
  • Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City: $66
  • Street Food & Local Food Tour: $66
  • SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class: $81
  • Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena: $92
  • Cartagena - Food Tour: $100
  • Caribbean Cuisine Cooking Class: $105
  • Shared Local Cooking Class and Lunch in Cartagena: $110
  • Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cartagena $19
    Puerto Montt $16

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cartagena de Indias: India Catalina to Plaza Santo Domingo Audio Tour - VoiceMap: $5.34
  • Cartagena de Indias: Into the Walls of The City Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.34
  • Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. Cartagena Sensorial Tour: $6.99
  • Monasterio de la Popa, tickets de entrada: $7.00
  • Cartagena City Tour By Bicycle: $8.00
  • City Tour Cartagena With Bazurto Market: $8.00
  • Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias): $10
  • Free walking tour Gethsemane old town & Forever colonial: $10
  • Cartagena Ryhtm & Sunset - Musical experience: $12
  • Virtual Cartagena LiteraTour through Nobel Garcia Marquez work: $15
  • City Sightseeing Cartagena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Shore Excursion: $18
  • Chiva Party Bus Tour in Cartagena: $18

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:

  • Frutillar Half Day Tour From Puerto Montt: $41
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $44
  • Half day traditional city tour: $48
  • Chiloe Island Tour from Puerto Montt: $62
  • Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $70
  • Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $85
  • Frutillar Tour from Puerto Montt in Private: $95
  • Day Tour Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt: $113
  • Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas: $113
  • Shore Excursion: Private City Tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $182
  • Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $202
  • Puerto Montt Shore Excursion: City Tour and Frutillar Tour with German Colonial Museum: $232

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cartagena $8.13
    Puerto Montt $5.31


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.


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 tropical climate with fairly warm 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. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The temperature in Cartagena is usually 29°C (84°F) in July, and Puerto Montt stays 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cartagena 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. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October are around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Montt is 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cartagena 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. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

In January, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Puerto Monttin July. Temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Montt stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cartagena 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. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the spring. The temperature in Cartagena is usually 28°C (82°F) in April, and Puerto Montt stays 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cartagena 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)


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Cartagena vs. Puerto Montt Travel Comparison

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