Which place is cheaper, San Miguel de Tucuman or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cartagena or San Miguel de Tucuman?
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 Miguel de Tucuman can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or San Miguel de Tucuman?
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 Miguel de Tucuman
The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $45San Miguel de Tucuman $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $45, while the average daily cost in San Miguel de Tucuman is $11. 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 Miguel de Tucuman in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $26San Miguel de Tucuman $4.59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $52San Miguel de Tucuman $9.18
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and San Miguel de Tucuman
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or San Miguel de Tucuman? 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 Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.14San Miguel de Tucuman $2.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- luxury private Vehicle, airport/hotel transfer or viceversa: $35
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena APT-HTL(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $15
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $15
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $22
- Transfer from Rafael Nuñez Airport to Cartagena Hotel Zone: $20
- Transfer from Hotels to Rafael Nuñez Cartagena Airport: $20
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $20
- Transfer High-end - Kia Quoris: $90
- Transfer High-end - Ford Explorer: $90
- Transfer Cartagena : $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Miguel de Tucuman
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Miguel de Tucuman:
-
Taxi Ride$0.01
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or San Miguel de Tucuman?
Prices for flights to both San Miguel de Tucuman 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 $9.36San Miguel de Tucuman $3.80
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 In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $38
- 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: $42
- Street Food Cooking Class, Mojito making & Fruit tasting: $50
- Cooking class, Caribbean lunch at our place: $51
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
Typical Food Prices in San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Sandwich$0.01
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $20San Miguel de Tucuman $3.12
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena Efoil FliteBoard Experience in Fenix Beach 1H: $150
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Guided Tour in Turbaco and the Botanical Garden with Lunch: $97
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Blanca Private tour : $148
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $156
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 1 Hour Efoil FliteScooter Experience in Fenix Beach Cartagena : $120
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
- Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $67
- Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $105
- Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $105
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $8.78San Miguel de Tucuman $1.96
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 Getsemaní: $18
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $21
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $23
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
- Get the Nightlife Vibe & Bar crawl: $57
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $64
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and San Miguel de Tucuman, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is San Miguel de Tucuman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Miguel de Tucuman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Miguel de Tucuman 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in San Miguel de Tucuman.
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 Miguel de Tucuman Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or San Miguel de Tucuman?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of San Miguel de Tucuman. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and San Miguel de Tucuman, 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.