Which place is cheaper, Temuco or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Temuco?
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 Temuco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Temuco?
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.
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, and The Best Budget Tours to Chile.
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Cartagena Prices
Colombia PricesTemuco Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $55Temuco $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $55, while the average daily cost in Temuco is $96. 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 Temuco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Temuco $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Temuco $88
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Temuco
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Temuco? 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 Temuco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.46Temuco $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $211
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $210
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Temuco?
Prices for flights to both Temuco 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 $17Temuco $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Temuco $7.85
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $592
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.17Temuco $5.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Temuco, we can see that Temuco 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 Temuco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Temuco 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 Temuco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Temuco?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Temuco. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Temuco, 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 Temuco?
Temuco 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 Temuco in the Summer?
Both Temuco 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 Temuco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cartagena in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Temuco averages at about 17°C (62°F)in January.
In Temuco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Temucoin January. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 290 hours of full sun.
Cartagena usually gets more rain in July than Temucoin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCartagena 29°C (84°F)Temuco 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Temuco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Temuco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In October, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Temucoin April. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Temuco fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Temuco during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 150 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 Temucoin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCartagena 27°C (81°F)Temuco 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Temuco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Temuco. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cartagena is much warmer than Temuco in the winter. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Temuco fluctuates around 8°C (46°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 Temucoin July. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Temuco receives 78 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Temuco. Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Temucoin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCartagena 27°C (81°F)Temuco 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Temuco in the Spring?
Both Temuco 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 Temuco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cartagena in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Temuco averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Temuco during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Temuco receives 193 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Temucoin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Temuco receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCartagena 28°C (82°F)Temuco 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Temuco and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Temuco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.