Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila 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 Manila and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Cartagena?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, 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 Manila and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Manila and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Cartagena $7.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Manila 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 dayManila $18Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
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: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $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
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Cartagena $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 Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Cartagena, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Cartagena?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Manila or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Cartagena. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Cartagena. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Manila usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Manila is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Manila during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Manila usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Manila
| Manila | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.