A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Curitiba vs. Medellin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $84, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $27. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Curitiba $27
    Medellin $4.28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $54
    Medellin $8.56
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.

Hotels in Curitiba


Hotels in Medellin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Curitiba $14
    Medellin $3.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.76

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: $88
  • Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Curitiba Airport CWB to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $17
  • Curitiba Airport Private Transfer: $103
  • Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $18
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $17
  • Private Cycling Tour to Morretes - via Estrada da Graciosa / including transfer from Curitiba: $279
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $105
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $76
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $76
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $35

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Medellin Tour Privado x8 horas con Transfers: $329
  • Medellin Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $220
  • Medellín to Guatapé: Private Transfer: $219
  • Minibus Departure Transfer from Medellin to Medellin Airport MDE: $182
  • Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $160
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
  • Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
  • Private Tejo Sport Experience with Transfer & Beer: $81
  • Medellin J.M.C Intl Airport (MDE) - Private Arrival / Departure Transfer : $77
  • Private transfer from Airport (MDE) to Medellin City: $74
  • Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $64
  • Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $61

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Curitiba $44
    Medellin $15
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:


  • Chips
    $0.79

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: $27
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $67
  • 4-Hour City-By-Night Tour with Dinner: $83
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $91

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $1.89

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: $6.00
  • Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
  • Medellin Food Tour Laureles: $31
  • Laureles Food Tour: $35
  • Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $41
  • Street Food Tour in Medellín with 10 + Tastings in El Poblado: $45
  • City Tour by Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $47
  • Taco Food Tour in Medellin: $60
  • Private Half-Day Food Tour Visiting Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
  • MEDELLÍN: PRIVATE FOOD TOUR WITH THE BEST VIEWPOINTS!: $80
  • Medellín Food Tour: $94
  • Traditional Food Tour: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Curitiba $17
    Medellin $12

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: $4.30
  • Walking tour from past to present: $14
  • Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $22
  • Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $35
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Curitiba City: $44
  • A private 4 hour city tour: $45
  • Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $57
  • Experience the Best of City Tour Highlights: $58
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $63
  • Full-day tour in Curitiba: $69
  • Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $70

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
  • Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars: $83
  • 1 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in Medellin : $140
  • 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27
  • 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
  • 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Medellin: $57
  • 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Nuqui- Whales!!!: $521
  • 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
  • 9-Hour Full Day Tour of Pablo Escobar Including C13, Museum and Barrio PE: $179
  • A perfect look at Guatapé: Tour with everything you can't miss: $200
  • AMAZING Paragliding + Lunch Tour Near Medellin Antioquia: $155
  • ATV Private Tour in Medellin: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $12
    Medellin $6.49
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:


  • Beer
    $0.40

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Craft Brewery Tour: $12
  • Medellin El Poblado Pub Crawl: Rooftop Vibes and Club Hoppin: $20
  • Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $35
  • Pub crawl nightlife with Aguardiente tasting: $38
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $86
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145


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.