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.

Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Curitiba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $75, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $22. 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 $31
    Medellin $4.55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $62
    Medellin $9.10
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 $17
    Medellin $3.97
Typical Local Transportation prices in Curitiba

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.03

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: $16
  • Curitiba Airport PrivateTransfers Round Trip or One Way: $115
  • Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $18
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Cycling Tour to Morretes - via Estrada da Graciosa / including transfer from Curitiba: $333
  • 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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Medellin

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


  • Taxi
    $1.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minibus: $248
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minibus: $248
  • Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by Minivan: $175
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $175
  • Airport Transfers : $120
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by 2x4 Car: $118
  • Departure Private Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport MDE by 2x4 Car: $108
  • Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 10 People: $90
  • Medellin J.M.C Intl Airport (MDE) - Private Arrival / Departure Transfer : $77

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 $29
    Medellin $9.21
Typical Food prices in Curitiba

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


  • Chips
    $0.91

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: $32
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $74
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $94
  • 4-Hour City-By-Night Tour with Dinner: $211

Typical Food prices in Medellin

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


  • Lunch
    $2.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $28
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $66
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
  • Private tour: Street food tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $71
  • Medellín Food Tour: $89
  • Sabaneta and Envigado Best Local Food Tour from Medellin: $94
  • Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour: $104
  • Food Tour & Christmas Lights in Lots of Colors and Food: $105
  • Private Market Tour and Colombian Cooking Lesson With a Local Family in Medellin: $114
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $117
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Curitiba $20
    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: $5.14
  • Cultural Walking Tour Curitiba: $11
  • Walking tour from past to present: $11
  • Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $26
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $31
  • Private City Tour - Top Postcards from Curitiba by Pinheiro Turismo: $42
  • Historic City Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $42
  • Interparks Cycling Tour Curitiba for small groups: $52
  • Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $54
  • Curitiba City Tour: $58
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $59
  • A private city tour: $67

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $171
  • Guatapé Piedra del Peñol and Coffee Farm Tour: $139
  • Medellin City Private Tour: $83
  • Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars: $83
  • Private Full Day Tour in Guatape: $40
  • 2 Days Medellin Coffee Farm Experience : $195
  • 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $145
  • 2 days Private Adventure Tour: rafting and Camping in Antioquia: $580
  • 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
  • 3 Element Tour - ATV 1.5hr + PARAGLIDING + RAFTING 2.5hr from MEDELLIN: $487
  • 3 Element Tour - ATV 1hr + PARAGLIDING + RAFTING 3hr from MEDELLIN: $455
  • 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $14
    Medellin $6.91
Typical Alcohol prices in Curitiba

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


  • Beer
    $0.46

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

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

  • 5 hours pub crawl to the bests clubs in Provenza Medellin: $25
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $39
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $94
  • All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
  • 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.

Which is Bigger, Curitiba or Medellin?

Medellin is bigger, and its population is about 16% larger than the population of Curitiba. When comparing the population of Curitiba vs. 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 and the activities 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.
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Curitiba vs. Medellin Travel Comparison

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