Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or San Francisco?
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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48San Francisco $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.49San Francisco $16
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
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- 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: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Francisco: $107
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $245
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $169
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury SUV: $141
- Arrival Transfer San Francisco Pier to San Francisco City by SUV: $177
- Carmel 1-Way Transfer to/from San Francisco Airport: $535
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport by Sedan: $152
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $203
- Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Business Car: $108
- Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
- Private Airport SUV VIP Transfer from or to SFO to Marin County: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $9.82San Francisco $46
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
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $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
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay: $82
- Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $84
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
- San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21San Francisco $46
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
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- San Francisco’s Chinatown on foot: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Leave your heart at the Wharf: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.99
- San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Embarcadero Self-Guided Audio Smartphone Tour: $5.99
- San Francisco self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $6.46
- The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Japantown & Stories: $6.99
- Ghosts & Hauntings Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- Secrets of Golden Gate Park Audio Tour: $7.99
- Design in the Financial District Audio Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.21San Francisco $22
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 Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- Private Wine Tour Napa or Sonoma from $99 per person up to 7 & Concierge Service: $99
- Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $109
- Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
- Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
- From The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
- The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cartagena is in South America and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or San Francisco?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?
Both San Francisco 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. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cartagena is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cartagena in July average around 29°C (84°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or San Francisco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Cartagena is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or San Francisco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as San Francisco. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Cartagena is much warmer than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Cartagena or San Francisco in the Spring?
Both San Francisco and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cartagena is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cartagena in April average around 28°C (82°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and Cartagena
| Cartagena | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
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.