Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Manaus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manaus or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Cartagena? 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: Manaus or Cartagena?
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
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 Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $59Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $59, 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 Manaus and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $42Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $84Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Manaus 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.94Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $97
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $18
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Manaus 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 dayManaus $12Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
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: $45
- 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
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $67
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City and Getsemani: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tours in Manaus: $15
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $70
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
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- 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 Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.84Cartagena $9.39
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
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manaus and Cartagena, we can see that Manaus is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus 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 Manaus Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Cartagena?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Manaus 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 Manaus or Cartagena?
Manaus 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 Manaus or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Manaus during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Manaus is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in July.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manaus often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain July. Manaus gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually gets more rain in January than Cartagenain July. Manaus gets 264 mm (10.4 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 JulyManaus 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manaus and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Manaus is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manaus in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
Manaus usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Manaus gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Manaus usually receives more rain than Cartagenain October. Manaus gets 311 mm (12.3 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 OctoberManaus 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manaus as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In July, Manaus is generally around the same temperature as Cartagenain January. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Manaus this time of the year. In the winter, Manaus often gets less sunshine than Cartagenain January. Manaus gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Manaus usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. Manaus gets 85 mm (3.4 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 JanuaryManaus 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Manaus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Manaus is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Manaus usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Manaus gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Manaus. In October, Manaus usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. Manaus gets 113 mm (4.4 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 AprilManaus 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Manaus
| Manaus | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.