Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Curitiba?
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 Curitiba or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Curitiba and Cartagena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Curitiba or Cartagena?
Curitiba
Curitiba is a relatively large city that is convenient to visit if you're traveling to Iguazu Falls from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. It is worth a day or two stop over because it has a great old city that has been restored. It's also the capital of Parana, Brazil. Curitiba is one of the more wealthy cities in the southern region of Brazil. It has a diverse population with many immigrants and some interesting cultural events.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Curitiba Prices
Brazil PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuritiba $95Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $95, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $58. 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 Curitiba and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuritiba $31Cartagena $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuritiba $62Cartagena $56
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Curitiba or Cartagena? 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: Curitiba Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Curitiba $16Cartagena $7.90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:
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Taxi Ride$1.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba
Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Beach Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Curitiba Airport CWB to Beach Resort -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port: $265
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $265
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $300
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $292
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $219
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $218
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $209
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $209
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $209
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Curitiba or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Curitiba 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 dayCuritiba $50Cartagena $18
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:
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Chips$0.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Curitiba
For Curitiba, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba: $38
- Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
- Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $108
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
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $37
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $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
- Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena: $47
- 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
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Curitiba $20Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Curitiba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Curitiba.
- Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $41
- Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Masonic Tour: $55
- Ultimate Curitiba Tasting Experience up to 34 flavors: $55
- Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $66
- Experience the Best of City Tour Highlights: $69
- CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $76
- 4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba: $77
- Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $86
- Full-day tour in Curitiba: $86
- 8h full city tour in Curitiba: $117
- Tour to the State Park of Vila Velha: $171
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour.: $140
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $32
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $135
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $70
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $80
- 2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat: $21
- 3 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers: $61
- 3 Private Islands Experience in Cartagena: $120
- 3 Rosario Islands: A tour of the best islands in Cartagena: $135
- 4 Destinations VIP Tour of Rosario Islands with Snorkeling and Lunch: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuritiba $14Cartagena $9.71
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:
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Beer$0.45
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-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club): $16
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena: $45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Curitiba and Cartagena, we can see that Curitiba 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 Curitiba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Curitiba 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 Curitiba Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Cartagena?
Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba and Cartagena, 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.