Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or Santa Marta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Santa Marta 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: Fortaleza or Santa Marta?
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
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Fortaleza Prices
Brazil PricesSanta Marta Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $86Santa Marta $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $86, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $49. 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 Fortaleza and Santa Marta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Santa Marta $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Santa Marta $34
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Santa Marta
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Santa Marta? 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Santa Marta $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.90
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $33
- Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $100
- Transfer 4x4 Fortaleza x Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara x Fortaleza: $208
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $120
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $240
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Cumbuco: $117
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Aquiraz: $106
- Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $12
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport (FOR): $38
- Round trip transfer to Jericoacoara: $65
- Private transfer in 4X4 Fortaleza A Jeri or Jeri A Fortaleza: $211
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
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Gas$6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $218
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $178
- Santa Marta to or from Cartagena Private Transfer: $149
- Calderon Beach Club Day Pass with Lunch & Transfer: $120
- Private transfer from Santa Marta to Tayrona Park area o Palomino: $110
- Playa Cristal Beach Day with Boat Transfer: $94
- Boat transfer to Parque Tayrona Cabo San Juan: $82
- Transfer to Playa Cinto & Playa Cristal: $82
- SHARED-CAR TRANSFER FROM SANTA MARTA TO CARTAGENA OR VICE VERSA: $77
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Santa Marta?
Prices for flights to both Santa Marta and Fortaleza 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
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Food Meals for one dayFortaleza $41Santa Marta $21
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$3.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide: $39
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day: $65
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $69
- SamarioCaribeño Chef's Table Cooking Lesson and Breakfast: $87
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Santa Marta $17
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Beach of Beautiful Waters + Barra Nova (including Buggy Tour): $51
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $27
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $30
- City Tour and Praia Futuro Beach: $163
- Cumbuco in 1 Day: Unforgettable Tour: $31
- Exploring Cumbuco: 1-Day Adventure: $31
- Fortaleza City Tour + Central Market and Fish Market: $36
- Fortaleza Panoramic City Tour with visit to Cumbuco Beach: $24
- 4-Hour City Car Tour: $140
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Gabo Márquez" Tour - Aracataca and Cienaga: $205
- A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $18
- Adventures in Santa Marta private beaches by Paddle or kayak: $52
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $220
- Cabo San Juan Day Tour: $76
- Cacao Experience Tour: $49
- Cacao and Coffee Tour: $49
- Canopy Extreme Adventure at the Aquarium and Playa Blanca: $55
- Chocolate Motorcycle Tour: $180
- Cocoa tour and stay at the Sierra Limon Hostel: $75
- Coffee and Cocoa Tour in Minca!: $81
- Cultural Experience with the Tungueka Indigenous Community: $91
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $9.93Santa Marta $8.32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
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Beer$0.72
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Beer$2.93
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Marta
Also in Santa Marta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $30
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $30
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Santa Marta, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Fortaleza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fortaleza than you might in Santa Marta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Santa Marta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Santa Marta?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Santa Marta, 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.
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.