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

Should you visit Eagle Beach or Medellin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eagle Beach or Medellin, 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: Eagle Beach or Medellin?

Eagle Beach

Aruba, only fifteen miles north of Venezuela, is a top Caribbean tourist destination. It's a small island, only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, and is an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island is Eagle Beach. It's a popular beach with the locals, and a common destination for many who are looking for a party. The beach is particularly crowded on Easter weekend. The sand is a sugary white and the waters are a stunning crystal blue color. The beach itself is quite flat and the ocean is so calm it's like swimming in a pool. There are a handful of palm trees if you're seeking shade, but otherwise it's the ideal place to soak up some rays. You'll find some shaded picnic areas as well if you're hoping to enjoy a casual lunch.

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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Eagle Beach?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Eagle Beach is $341, 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 Eagle Beach and Medellin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eagle Beach $227
    Medellin $4.75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eagle Beach $454
    Medellin $9.50
Compare Hotels in Eagle Beach and Medellin

Looking for a hotel in Eagle Beach 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 Eagle Beach


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: Medellin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eagle Beach $33
    Medellin $4.14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eagle Beach

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


  • Round-trip Bus Ticket
    $2.22
  • One Day Scooter Rental
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eagle Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Eagle Beach:

  • 2 Ways Private Transfers: $45
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) - Departure Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) Departure Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Private Airport Transfer: Personalized Arrival: $31
  • Aruba Private Van Airport Transfer (Max 5): $55
  • Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island - Round-Trip Transfer: $79
  • Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Platinium Aruba Transport - All Around Luxury Private Transfers: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers in Aruba: $58
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Aruba To Reina Beatrix Airport: $32
  • Private Transfer from Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) to Aruba Island: $75
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Cruise Port to Oranjestad city: $36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

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


  • Taxi
    $1.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Airport Transfers : $120
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by MiniSuv: $98
  • Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $129
  • Medellín Airport shuttle - Airport Transfer: $25
  • Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $44
  • Medellin Airport (EOH) to Medellin hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $55
  • Medellin Airport (MDE) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Medellin hotels to Medellin Airport (EOH) - Departure Transfer: $27
  • Medellin to Olaya Herrera Airport(EOH)-Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Minibus Departure Transfer from Medellin to Medellin Airport MDE: $182
  • Night-time Private transfer service from or to Medellín Airport: $47
  • Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin -Arrival Private Transfer: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Eagle Beach or Medellin?

Prices for flights to both Medellin and Eagle Beach 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
    Eagle Beach $68
    Medellin $9.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Eagle Beach

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

  • Noord, Aruba: Exclusive Private Dinner aboard the Aqua Donut: $90
  • Aruba Caribbean Dinner Sail Experience: $92
  • Sunset Sail Cruise to Boca Catalina with BBQ Dinner: $110
  • Sunset Sail: Aruba Dinner Cruise with Open Bar by Catamaran: $119
  • Caribbean Cooking Class in Aruba: $160

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

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


  • 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: $69
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
  • Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $100
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
  • Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
  • Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
  • A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
  • ATV Adventure Including Medellin City and Food Tour: $185

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eagle Beach $121
    Medellin $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Eagle Beach

Here are a few typical costs in Eagle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Full Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
    $98
  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $70
  • 4 Hr Snorkel Trip
    $74

Tours and Activities in Eagle Beach

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

  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Aruba: $5.00
  • Aruba Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Guided Tour: $37
  • Scenic Aruba Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $40
  • Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour: $40
  • Explore Aruba Party Bus Tour: $41
  • Aruba Countryside Tour: $41
  • The Whole Story Tour + A Ride: $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour : $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad: $49
  • Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour: $49
  • Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba: $54
  • Aruba Jet Ski Rentals — Exciting Water Adventures Await: $58

Tours and Activities in Medellin

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

  • Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
  • Comuna 13 GraffiTour with Spray Painting and Typical Food C13: $11
  • Graffitour Medellín: History, Transformation and Overcoming": $13
  • Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Medellín: $13
  • Post-conflict and Violence Tour (after Pablo) in Medellin: $13
  • GRAFITOUR COMUNA 13 more than a tour an EXPERIENCE: $15
  • Walking Historical tour of Medellín, walking reality.: $15
  • 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
  • From violence to innovation (Virtual Guided Tour): $19
  • Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour with Cable Car: $20
  • Storytellers Tours: $21
  • Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eagle Beach $31
    Medellin $7.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

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

  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
  • 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 Eagle Beach and Medellin, we can see that Eagle Beach is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eagle Beach is in Caribbean Islands and Medellin 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 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 Eagle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eagle Beach 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 Eagle Beach Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.