Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flores and Cartagena 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.
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 3-Day Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $33, 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 Flores and Cartagena in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Flores 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.
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Flores 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Flores is in Central America 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Flores 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.