Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Tilcara can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $8.25. 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 Tilcara in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Tilcara? 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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tilcara:
Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:
For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Tilcara, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Tilcara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tilcara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tilcara 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 Tilcara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cartagena Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Tilcara, 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.