Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cartagena or Valparaiso?
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 Valparaiso can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Valparaiso $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $66. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Valparaiso $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.64Valparaiso $4.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $40
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $87
- Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Cartagena - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Cartagena Airport to Cartagena (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Pick up Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
- Pick up at the Pier and Valparaiso -Viña del Mar and transfer to the Airport: $269
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $80
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $236
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 $10Valparaiso $22
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 of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- Dinner on a boat at Cartagena Bay: $68
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
- Street Food Tour of Cartagena: $70
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada$1.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Valparaiso $18
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.95
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Historic Free Tour Slavery and Gethsemane Heritage: $10
- Shared Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Cartagena: $10
- San Diego & Gabriel García Marquez Walking Tour: $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour$4.19
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour Valparaiso: $30
- Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $32
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
- Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $38
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Valparaiso: $49
- Citybus Tour from Valparaíso (Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón): $54
- Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $54
- 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
- Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Valparaiso $7.79
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 with Dancing and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $45
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer$1.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaíso: $166
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $255
- Isla Negra Museum Tour & CasaBlanca Wine Tour: $289
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Valparaiso?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Valparaiso, 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.