Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 Medellin?
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 Medellin 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
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 PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuritiba $95Medellin $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $95, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $31. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuritiba $31Medellin $4.91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuritiba $62Medellin $9.82
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Curitiba or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Curitiba $16Medellin $4.28
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: $105
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Curitiba - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Curitiba Airport CWB to Beach Resort -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $62
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port: $263
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $263
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Seamless Transfer: JMC (MDE) Airport ↔ El Peñol & Guatapé: $289
- Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $151
- Private Shooting Experience with Transfers: $145
- Medellín Highlights: with local guide and transfers from hotel: $132
- Guatapé and Piedra del Penol, Lunch Transfers and Guide: $127
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $95
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Private Tejo Sport Experience with Transfer & Beer: $92
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Curitiba or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $50Medellin $17
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: $107
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $45
- 4hr Cooking Class in Medellín with Traditional Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Colombia Inspired Food Tour: $59
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Curitiba $20Medellin $13
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: $49
- Masonic Tour: $54
- Ultimate Curitiba Tasting Experience up to 34 flavors: $55
- Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $65
- Experience the Best of City Tour Highlights: $68
- 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: $116
- Tour to the State Park of Vila Velha: $170
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $130
- 2 Day Shared Tour in Medellin Guatapé and Commune 13: $93
- 2 Days Medellin autentic Coffee Farm Experience: $265
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $140
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
- ATV Adventure in Medellin's Mountains: $96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuritiba $14Medellin $7.46
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 Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $175
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Curitiba and Medellin, we can see that Curitiba is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Curitiba Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Curitiba. When comparing the sizes of Curitiba and Medellin, 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.