Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dakar or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dakar or Cartagena?
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
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 Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Dakar and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Cartagena $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Dakar 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Dakar 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 dayDakar $20Cartagena $9.82
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
-
Breakfast$4.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Cartagena $9.21
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 with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Cartagena, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dakar is in Africa and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar 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 Dakar Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Cartagena?
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Dakar 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.
When is the best time to visit Dakar or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dakar or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Dakar usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during summer. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Dakar is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dakar in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Dakar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dakar usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the autumn, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In October, Dakar is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Dakar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Dakar is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Cartagena. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Dakar usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cartagena. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the spring, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Dakar is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dakar in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Dakar
| Dakar | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.