Should you visit Cartagena or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
Which city is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $37, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $43. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
Cartagena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $42. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $21.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $36 for a double occupancy room in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Cartagena $21
Santa Cruz de la Sierra $18
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Cartagena
$42
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
$36
Food
In Cartagena travelers spend around $7.64 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.
The price of a meal in Santa Cruz de la Sierra can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $16 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $6.40 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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
-
Colombian Cooking Workshop:
$201
Typical Food prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Snacks
$3.20
-
Chips
$0.29
-
Banana
$0.15
-
Cookies
$1.31
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cartagena is $5.83 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.
The average price of local transportation around Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $7.96 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.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Cartagena $5.83
Santa Cruz de la Sierra $7.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
-
Air Conditioning Bus transfer:
$8.00
-
Cartagena Airport Transfer (in and out) - Touristic Area Hotels - Sedan:
$34
-
Cartagena Arrival or Departure Transfer: Airport / Cruise Ship Terminal:
$13
-
Cartagena Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport:
$17
-
Cartagena Private Transfer from El Laguito to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport:
$17
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by 2x4 Car:
$72
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan:
$96
-
Hotel to Airport Transportation in Cartagena (transfer service):
$14
-
One way private water transfer between Cartagena and the Islands (6 ppl max):
$530
-
PRIVATE Transfer from the AIRPORT to the hotel.:
$19
-
PRIVATE Transfer from the cruise terminal.:
$13
-
PRIVATE Transfer from the hotel to the Rafael Nuñez AIRPORT:
$16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
-
Taxi Ride
$4.36
-
Mini Bus
$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
-
Arrival Private Transfer Santa Cruz Airport VVI to Santa Cruz City by Minibus:
$55
-
Arrival Private Transfer Santa Cruz Airport VVI to Santa Cruz City by SCross Sx4:
$55
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Departure Private Transfer Santa Cruz City to Santa Cruz Airport VVI by Minibus:
$55
-
Departure Private Transfer Santa Cruz to Santa Cruz Airport VVI by S-Cross Sx4:
$55
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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.
Entertainment
Cartagena's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $17 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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $15 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.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Cartagena $17
Santa Cruz de la Sierra $15
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Cartagena de Indias: Into the Walls of The City Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.34
-
Cartagena de Indias: India Catalina to Plaza Santo Domingo Audio Tour - VoiceMap:
$5.34
-
Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. Cartagena Sensorial Tour:
$6.99
-
Monasterio de la Popa, tickets de entrada:
$7.00
-
Cartagena City Tour By Bicycle:
$8.00
-
City Tour Cartagena With Bazurto Market:
$8.00
-
Free walking tour Gethsemane old town & Forever colonial:
$10
-
Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias):
$10
-
Cartagena Ryhtm & Sunset - Musical experience:
$12
-
Virtual Cartagena LiteraTour through Nobel Garcia Marquez work:
$15
-
Chiva Party Bus Tour in Cartagena:
$18
-
Night Trolley Sightseeing in Cartagena:
$18
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cartagena may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.17 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Santa Cruz de la Sierra may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Cruz de la Sierra than you might in Cartagena.
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