Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $159
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $155
- Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minibus: $129
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $107
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Playa Blanca Round-Trip Transfer: $91
- Cartagena International Airport - Private Transfer From or To Cartagena City: $91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $10Punta Arenas $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: $45
- 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
- Dinner on a boat at Cartagena Bay: $68
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
- Street Food Tour of Cartagena: $70
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Punta Arenas $6.44
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
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $156
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $95
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $90
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $52
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Punta Arenas $4.86
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: $20
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $45
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Punta Arenas?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Cartagena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Cartagena is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cartagena in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.
In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the summer, Cartagena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenasin January. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCartagena 29°C (84°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In October, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin April. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCartagena 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Punta Arenas. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. Cartagena is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCartagena 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In the spring, Cartagena is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cartagena in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCartagena 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.