Which place is cheaper, Cajamarca or Medellin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Medellin or Cajamarca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Medellin or Cajamarca? 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: Medellin or Cajamarca?
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.
Cajamarca
Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMedellin $23Cajamarca $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Medellin is $23, while the average daily cost in Cajamarca is $69. 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 Medellin and Cajamarca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMedellin $4.75Cajamarca $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMedellin $9.50Cajamarca $48
Compare Hotels in Medellin and Cajamarca
Looking for a hotel in Medellin or Cajamarca? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Medellin $4.14Cajamarca $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $16
- Medellin Airport (MDE) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Medellin to Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE) - Departure Transfer: $21
- Medellin Airport MDE to Downtown Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer Private Car from Medellin city - Medellin Airport (MDE): $23
- Transfer Private Car from Medellin Airport (MDE) - Medellin city: $23
- Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin -Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Medellin to Olaya Herrera Airport(EOH)-Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Medellin Airport (EOH) to Medellin hotels - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Medellin hotels to Medellin Airport (EOH) - Departure Transfer: $27
- Medellín Transfer: José María Córdova Airport : $30
- RoundtripTransfer Privatecar Medellin Airport (MDE) Medellin City: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Medellin or Cajamarca?
Prices for flights to both Cajamarca and Medellin 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 dayMedellin $9.61Cajamarca $28
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
- Half-Day Food Tour Visiting the Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $75
- Food Tour in An Authentic Culinary Experience: $109
- Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
- Medellin tour with Fernando Botero´s, street art and food tour: $138
- Medellin City Tour Including The History of Tango and Lunch or Dinner: $138
- Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour: $145
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
- Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
- Combo Tour: Dark days & Christmas tour Including Lunch or Dinner: $166
- A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Medellin $13Cajamarca $26
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
- Graffiti Tour | Commune 13 guided by locals and Snacks: $11
- Graffitour Medellín: History, Transformation and Overcoming": $13
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Medellín: $13
- Post-conflict and Violence Tour (after Pablo) in Medellin: $13
- Shared Tour of El Poblado "Sin Taboos" in Medellin: $13
- GRAFITOUR COMUNA 13 more than a tour an EXPERIENCE: $15
- Walking Historical tour of Medellín, walking reality.: $15
- Medellin Shared Walking Tour Metro ticket included: $16
- Commune 13, cable car. Graffititour. History. All inclusive: $19
- Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour with Cable Car: $20
- Tour Stairs and Cemetery Commune 13: $21
Tours and Activities in Cajamarca
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cajamarca are as follows:
- || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40
- Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
- Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
- City Tour: $67
- 3-Day Guided Cultural Tour of Cajamarca with Transportation: $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMedellin $7.21Cajamarca $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Medellin and Cajamarca, we can see that Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cajamarca 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 Medellin Expensive? and Is Cajamarca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Medellin or Cajamarca?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cajamarca. When comparing the sizes of Medellin and Cajamarca, 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.
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.