Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ilha Grande or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ilha Grande or Medellin? 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Ilha Grande Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIlha Grande $85Medellin $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $85, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $31. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIlha Grande $37Medellin $4.91
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIlha Grande $74Medellin $9.82
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande or Medellin? 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: Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ilha Grande $18Medellin $4.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure private transfer from Costa do Sol to Rio GIG Airport: $160
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $51
- Rio to Araçatiba Round-Trip Transfer with Flexboat: $131
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
-
Taxi$1.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $65
- Transfer from Medellin - Airport OR from Airport - Medellin: $49
- Transfer airport JMC - Medellin or vice versa - Private: $65
- Transfer Airport Medellin Rionegro to Hotel or Accommodation: $53
- Private Transfer from Medellin Airport (MDE): $25
- Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $69
- Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $49
- Private Transfer VIP Airport Rionegro MDE to Medellin: $23
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Private Transfer In/Out José María Córdova Airport: $71
- Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $35
- Private Medellín Hotel to Airport transfer service: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Ilha Grande or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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
-
Food Meals for one dayIlha Grande $37Medellin $17
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
-
Lunch$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $39
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $45
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ilha Grande $6.72Medellin $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:
- Regular Schooner Ride - Ilha Grande Tour: $13
- Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $20
- Shared Speedboat Tour - Paradise Island Tour: $27
- Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $35
- Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $47
- Tour Of The Motorboat The Paradisiac Islands Of Angra Dos Reis: $52
- 6-Hour Speedboat Tour to Blue and Green Lagoons: $55
- Ilha Grande - Private Historical Walking Tour with Natural Pool.: $60
- Schooner Cruise with Caipirinha drinks by the Blue Lagoon: $61
- 7h Speedboat Tour of Paradise Islands: $61
- Angra Islands Speedboat Tour from Paraty: $65
- Rio de Janeiro: Ilha Grande with Boat Tour & Optional Lunch: $68
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $130
- 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
- ATV Adventure in Medellin's Mountains: $96
- ATV Adventure: Mountains and Forest Tour: $132
- ATV Tours from Medellin: $133
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIlha Grande $11Medellin $7.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ilha Grande and Medellin, we can see that Ilha Grande is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
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 Medellin 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.