Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Cartagena?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $65Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, 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 Havana and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Havana and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Cartagena $7.64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $85
- Bilingual Private Transfer In Cartagena : $12
- Cartagena Airport(CTG) to Cartagena - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Havana 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 dayHavana $10Cartagena $10
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
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: $44
- 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
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.29
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.42
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.11
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.33
- Old Town & Artists' Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.48
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Emerald Museum and Factory Tour: $10
- Shared Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Cartagena $9.39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
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!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Cartagena, we can see that Havana is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana 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 Havana Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Cartagena?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana 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 Havana or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Havana or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Havana during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana 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. Havana usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Havana is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Havana or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Havana usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Havana is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Havana or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Havana as well as Cartagena. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Havana usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Havana is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Havana
| Havana | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.