Should you visit Cartagena or Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia 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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
Which city is cheaper, Ushuaia or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $39, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $83. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
Cartagena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $44. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $22.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $82 in Ushuaia For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Cartagena travelers spend around $8.10 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.
On average, meal and food prices in Ushuaia cost around $16 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.40.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cartagena $8.10
Ushuaia $16
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
-
Street Food & Local Food Tour:
$66
-
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
-
Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$115
-
Colombian Cooking Workshop:
$201
Typical Food prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Meeting with Beavers and Lagoon Tour with Dinner:
$176
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cartagena is $6.18 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.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
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One way private water transfer between Cartagena and the Islands (6 ppl max):
$530
-
Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$259
-
Private Transfer from Cartagena to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport:
$249
-
Private Transfer Cartagena to Palomino (or vice versa):
$195
-
Private transfer to Barranquilla from Cartagena- Traslado privado a Barranquilla:
$170
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minivan:
$96
-
Transfer to Tayrona Park, Santa Marta or Barranquilla City from Cartagena:
$84
-
Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by 2x4 Car:
$72
-
Private transfer Cartagena airport -Mamonal:
$65
-
Transfer Cartagena:
$50
-
Transfer service in Cartagena:
$50
-
Private Transfer: Cartagena to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG):
$40
Typical Local Transportation prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Overnight Ushuaia - Airport transfers, Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lakes!:
$339
-
Private Airport Transfer: Malvinas Argentinas Int. Airport (USH) to Ushuaia:
$14
-
Private Airport Transfer: Ushuaia to Malvinas Argentinas International (USH):
$14
-
Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia):
$54
-
Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia):
$55
-
Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia):
$27
-
Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia):
$22
-
Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip):
$19
-
Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport:
$35
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Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport:
$35
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Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer:
$18
Entertainment
Cartagena's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $18 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.
In Ushuaia, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $92 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers:
$40
-
4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena:
$103
-
6 Hr Cartagena Fishing Experience:
$974
-
Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena:
$140
-
Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias):
$10
-
Aviario National Park Shared Tour:
$63
-
Bar Tour for Guys and Bachelor Parties:
$20
-
Bazurto Market + La Popa Convent Cartagena City Tour 4H:
$81
-
Bazurto Market Half day tour in Cartagena:
$125
-
Biking Tour Cartagena:
$19
-
Birdwatching & Photography experience at the National Aviary in Barú:
$279
-
Bolivar Pirate Island Experience with Lunch:
$75
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
-
Ushuaia Double Decker Bus Tour:
$16
-
Estancia Harberton Museum Admission Ticket:
$25
-
Tierra del Fuego National Park Admission Ticket:
$25
-
Tierra del Fuego National Park Half-Day Tour with Optional End of the World Train Ride:
$32
-
City Tour:
$32
-
City Tour "Bajo Cero" + Mini Trekking + Thematic Gallery:
$37
-
Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour with optional Museums:
$39
-
Ushuaia City Tour with Museums:
$39
-
Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour:
$39
-
Ushuaia-End of the World tour -National Park 4 hours (shared tour-):
$40
-
Tierra Del Fuego National Park Tour:
$42
-
City Tour of Ushuaia:
$51
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cartagena may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.60 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Ushuaia, we can see that Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ushuaia than you might in Cartagena.
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