Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Grande-Terre?
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 Grande-Terre or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Cartagena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Grande-Terre or Cartagena?
Grande-Terre
Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.
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 Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Grande-Terre Prices
Guadeloupe PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrande-Terre €179Cartagena €47
The average daily cost (per person) in Grande-Terre is €179, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €47. 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 Grande-Terre and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrande-Terre €82Cartagena €23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrande-Terre €164Cartagena €46
Compare Hotels in Grande-Terre and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grande-Terre €9.00Cartagena €6.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grande-Terre
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grande-Terre:
- Arrival Private Transfer Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Pointe a Pitre by SUV: $41
- Arrival Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport PTP to Le Gosier by SUV: $50
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Guadeloupe island hotel-Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Pointe-a-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Pointe-a-Pitre Arrival Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Pointe a Pitre Airport to Deshaies or Trois Riviers by SUV: $91
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Port to Pointe-à-Pitre: $76
- Private Transfer from Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-à-Pitre Port: $76
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Airport (PTP) to Cruise Port : $76
- PrivateTransfer from Pointe-à-Pitre Cruise Port to Airport (PTP) : $76
- Transfer Guadeloupe Airport to Cruise Port: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $156
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $40
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $167
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $56
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City : $12
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $29
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $63
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $94
- TRANSFER CARTAGENA TO SANTA MARTA OR VICEVERSA IN SHARED CAR: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Grande-Terre or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Grande-Terre 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 dayGrande-Terre €82Cartagena €14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grande-Terre €45Cartagena €18
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $11
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $11
- CITYTOUR of Cartagena Monuments, Walls and Castles : $11
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena : $12
- Cartagena Sunset Walking Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrande-Terre €12Cartagena €7.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Cartagena, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Grande-Terre are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grande-Terre throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In July, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrande-Terre 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Grande-Terre during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grande-Terre 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in October than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the autumn, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Grande-Terre in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrande-Terre 27°C (80°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Grande-Terre and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grande-Terre year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 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 Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Grande-Terre is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Grande-Terre average around 24°C (76°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrande-Terre 24°C (76°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Grande-Terre or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Grande-Terre as well as Cartagena. Grande-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. Grande-Terre usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 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 Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the spring, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrande-Terre 26°C (78°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Grande-Terre
| Grande-Terre | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.