A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Plata vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or La Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.75, 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 La Plata and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Plata $3.52
    Cartagena $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Plata $7.04
    Cartagena $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.

Hotels in La Plata


Hotels in Cartagena


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Plata $2.51
    Cartagena $7.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
  • Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
  • Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
  • 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
  • San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $158
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $157
  • 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
  • Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $110
  • Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by MiniSuv: $106

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Plata $3.43
    Cartagena $9.82
Typical Food Prices in La Plata

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Street Food Tour with Lunch at Quaint Restaurant: $20
  • Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
  • 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
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
  • Flavors of Colombia - Cartagena Street Food Tour: $60
  • Street food tour: $61
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Plata $2.19
    Cartagena $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata

For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.01

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
  • Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Playa Blanca Private tour : $162
  • 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 city tour: $197
  • Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $156
  • Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
  • Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $95
  • "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Plata $1.22
    Cartagena $9.21

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
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $67
  • Pub Crawl: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in La Plata.

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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    La 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    La 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    La 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    La 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)