Should you visit Cartagena or Rosario?
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 Rosario can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Rosario
Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina. Located at the Parana river and known for its rich architectural heritage and beautiful riverside scenery, Rosario is the birthplace of the Argentinian flag as well as two of the nation's most famous icons, Che Guevara and Lionel Messi. Rosario is still an important river port but has done a great job of regenerating its center, which now has a vibrant cultural and night life. The abandoned buildings of the long riverbank have been converted into galleries, restaurants, skateparks and river beaches, which buzz with life in summer. Dynamic and confident without being showy, culturally rich and the best urban location to cool off in the boiling summers, Rosario is easily overlooked but not to be missed.
Which city is cheaper, Rosario or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $40, while the average daily cost in Rosario is $66. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cartagena and Rosario in more detail.
Accommodation
Cartagena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $46. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $23.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $46 in Rosario For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Cartagena travelers spend around $8.26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
While meal prices in Rosario can vary, the average travelers spends about $28 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Rosario should cost around $11 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Rosario is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cartagena $8.26
Rosario $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
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Cartagena Cuisine Cooking Experience:
$30
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BIKE & BITE food tour:
$52
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Street food tour with Julie:
$64
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Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City:
$66
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Street Food & Local Food Tour:
$66
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SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class:
$81
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Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena:
$92
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Cartagena - Food Tour:
$100
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Caribbean Cuisine Cooking Class:
$105
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Shared Local Cooking Class and Lunch in Cartagena:
$110
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Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$115
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Colombian Cooking Workshop:
$201
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cartagena is $6.30 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Rosario's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $19 per person, per day on transportation in Rosario.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
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One way private water transfer between Cartagena and the Islands (6 ppl max):
$530
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Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$259
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Private Transfer from Cartagena to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$249
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Private Transfer Cartagena to Palomino (or vice versa):
$195
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Private transfer to Barranquilla from Cartagena- Traslado privado a Barranquilla:
$170
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Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan:
$96
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Transfer to Tayrona Park, Santa Marta or Barranquilla City from Cartagena:
$84
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Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by 2x4 Car:
$72
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Private transfer Cartagena airport -Mamonal:
$65
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Transfer Cartagena:
$50
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Transfer service in Cartagena:
$50
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Private Transfer: Cartagena to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG):
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rosario
Also for Rosario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer Rosario City or Airport to Buenos Aires Airport EZE by Minivan:
$542
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Private Transfer from Rosario City or Airport ROS to Buenos Aires AEP by Minivan:
$500
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Rosario Airport ROS Arrival Private Transfer to Rosario City Business Van:
$14
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Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Rosario Airport (ROS) to Rosario city:
$72
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Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Rosario Airport (ROS) to Rosario:
$240
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Transfer in Private Car from Rosario Islas Malvinas Airport (ROS) to Rosario:
$36
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Transfer in Private Car from Rosario to Rosario "Islas Malvinas" Airport (ROS):
$36
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Transfer in private minivan from Rosario Islas Malvinas Airport (ROS) to Rosario:
$120
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Transfer in private minivan from Rosario to Rosario Islas Malvinas Airport (ROS):
$120
Entertainment
Cartagena's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $18 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Rosario can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $23 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers:
$40
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4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena:
$103
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6 Hr Cartagena Fishing Experience:
$974
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Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena:
$140
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Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias):
$10
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Aviario National Park Shared Tour:
$63
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Bar Tour for Guys and Bachelor Parties:
$20
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Bazurto Market + La Popa Convent Cartagena City Tour 4H:
$81
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Bazurto Market Half day tour in Cartagena:
$125
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Biking Tour Cartagena:
$19
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Birdwatching & Photography experience at the National Aviary in Barú:
$279
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Bolivar Pirate Island Experience with Lunch:
$75
Tours and Activities in Rosario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rosario.
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2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Rosario:
$42
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Wine Experience in Rosario - Organic Wines and Vegan Snack Board:
$65
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cartagena may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.74 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Rosario, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Rosario, we can see that Rosario 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 Rosario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rosario than you might in Cartagena.
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