Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil 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: Guayaquil or Cartagena?
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $95Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, 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 Guayaquil and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $88
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Guayaquil 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 dayGuayaquil $29Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185
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: $45
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $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
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $67
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City and Getsemani: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- Guayaquil City Tour: $40
- Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil's landmarks.: $45
- Private Experience of Flavors and Wine Pairing in Guayaquil: $52
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $63
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $80
- Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $82
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena: $165
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Cartagena $9.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $55
- Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65
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 and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $20
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Cartagena, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Guayaquil would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Cartagena?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Guayaquil during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Guayaquil is cooler than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Cartagena. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Guayaquil is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.