Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or La Plata?
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 La Plata 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 La Plata and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Cartagena?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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La Plata Prices
Argentina PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $62Cartagena $55
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $62, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $55. 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 La Plata and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $48Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $96Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $3.87Cartagena $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $211
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $210
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $6.52Cartagena $17
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.La Plata $21Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $5.49Cartagena $9.17
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 comparing the travel costs between La Plata and Cartagena, we can see that La Plata is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of La Plata. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Cartagena?
La Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit La Plata or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
La Plata is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the summer, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain July. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
La Plata usually gets more rain in January than Cartagenain July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, La Plata is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Plata in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In April, La Plata usually receives less rain than Cartagenain October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and La Plata during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In July, La Plata is generally much colder than Cartagenain January. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 12°C (53°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain January. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
La Plata usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
La Plata is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
La Plata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Plata usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and La Plata
| La Plata | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.