Which place is cheaper, Cali or Ilha Grande?
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 Ilha Grande or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ilha Grande or Cali? 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: Ilha Grande or Cali?
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Ilha Grande Prices
Brazil PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIlha Grande $84Cali $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $84, while the average daily cost in Cali is $37. 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 Ilha Grande and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIlha Grande $37Cali $7.15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIlha Grande $74Cali $14
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande or Cali? 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: Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ilha Grande $18Cali $6.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Regular transfer from Isla Grande (Abraão) x Rio de Janeiro: $48
- Regular transfer from Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $51
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Departure private transfer from Costa do Sol to Rio GIG Airport: $160
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Airport Private- Hotels North: $36
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport: $19
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $174
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $183
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $45
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by car: $131
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $174
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Ilha Grande or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and Ilha Grande 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 dayIlha Grande $36Cali $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $23
- Street Food Tour Cali Authentic Flavors and Street Art: $29
- Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Cali: $71
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
- Discover Pacific Flavors Cali Cooking Class and Market Tour: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ilha Grande $6.62Cali $13
Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande
For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A tour of the paradisiacal islands of Angra dos Reis.: $75
- Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $84
- Angra Islands Speedboat Tour from Paraty: $64
- Angra Paradise Islands Speedboat Tour: $90
- Angra Super Blue Lagoon Speedboat Tour: $79
- Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $75
- Boat Adventure through the Super Blue Lagoon in Angra dos Reis: $110
- Diving Adventures in Angra dos Reis: $241
- Escuna Tour to Angra Beaches of Dos Reis & Grand Island: $20
- Explore Paraty with Rafting Adventure: $160
- Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $67
- Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $46
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
- Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $149
- Cali City Tour: $224
- Cali City Tour Safe, Comfortable and Authentic Culture: $89
- Cali Day Tour to San Cipriano. Rivers, witches and waterfalls: $140
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $64
- Cali private city tour: $120
- City Tour | Guided tour around the city: $99
- Coffee Tour - Discover the secrets of 100% Colombian coffee: $245
- Walking tour of the historic center: $75
- Chef’s Garden Experience at Andoke Butterfly Center: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIlha Grande $11Cali $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Salsa Friday in Calle del Sabor + Bar Crawl in Cali: $32
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ilha Grande and Cali, we can see that Ilha Grande is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Ilha Grande would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ilha Grande than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ilha Grande Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
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.