Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Curitiba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuritiba $73Medellin $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $73, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 $30Medellin $4.75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuritiba $60Medellin $9.50
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 $4.14
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$1.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba
Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Afonso Pena Airport (CWB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $87
- Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $43
- Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Curitiba Airport CWB to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Curitiba Airport PrivateTransfers Round Trip or One Way: $110
- Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $17
- Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $106
- Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $75
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $35
- Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $129
- Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $120
- PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- MiniSuv Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $98
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by MiniSuv: $98
- PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 10 People: $90
- Transfer Jose Maria Cordoba Airport -Hotel or Accommodation: $79
- Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $55
- Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin - Round-trip transfer: $54
- Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $54
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 $28Medellin $9.61
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:
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Chips$0.88
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: $31
- Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
- Curitiba's History Food Tour: $77
- Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $94
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$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
- Half-Day Food Tour Visiting the Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $75
- Food Tour in An Authentic Culinary Experience: $109
- Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
- Medellin tour with Fernando Botero´s, street art and food tour: $138
- Medellin City Tour Including The History of Tango and Lunch or Dinner: $138
- Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour: $145
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
- Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
- Combo Tour: Dark days & Christmas tour Including Lunch or Dinner: $166
- A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Curitiba $19Medellin $13
Tours and Activities in Curitiba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Curitiba.
- Ticket MAI - Museum of Indigenous Art - Curitiba: $4.94
- Walking tour from past to present: $12
- Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $25
- Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $31
- Historic City Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $40
- Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $40
- Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $50
- Curitiba City Tour: $58
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Curitiba City: $70
- A private city tour: $71
- CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $72
- Full-day tour in Curitiba: $79
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Medellin City Private Tour: $83
- Private Full Day Tour in Guatape: $40
- Private Tour to Explore Comuna 13 in Medellín: $65
- Private tour Guatapé Peñol stone and coffee farm: $139
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $110
- ATV Quad Tour from Medellin with Transportation : $132
- ATV Tour 3 Mountains Medellin: $170
- ATV | Medellín: Quad Tour : $155
- Amazing Arvi natural reserve private tour: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCuritiba $14Medellin $7.21
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$0.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139
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.