Which place is cheaper, Puerto Natales or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cartagena or Puerto Natales?
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 Natales can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Puerto Natales?
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 Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Chile, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Puerto Natales $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Puerto Natales is $84. 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 Natales in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Puerto Natales $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Puerto Natales $76
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Puerto Natales
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Puerto Natales? 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 Natales Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Puerto Natales $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 Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- From Torres del Paine Tour with Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Puerto Natales?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Natales 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 dayCartagena $10Puerto Natales $28
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
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Cake$1.05
-
Dinner$18
-
Coke$1.05
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Puerto Natales $29
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 Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus ticket to El Calafate, Argentina: $44
- City Bike Tour in Puerto Natales: $58
- Puerto Natales Sightseeing Bike Tour: $62
- From Torres del Paine National Park Day Tour: $80
- Torres del Paine Full Day Tour: $87
- Full day tour Torres del Paine + Milodon cave: $88
- Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $90
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
- Full day tour Torres del Paine: $93
- Torres del Paine Park Full-Day Tour from Puerto Natales: $95
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour: $99
- Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales: $100
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Puerto Natales $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 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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Alcohol$13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Puerto Natales, we can see that Puerto Natales 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 Natales would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Natales 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 Natales Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Puerto Natales?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Puerto Natales, 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.
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.