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

Should you visit Minsk or Cartagena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Minsk or Cartagena?

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

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 Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Minsk?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, 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 Minsk and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Cartagena $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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 Minsk


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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Cartagena $7.49

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 Minsk or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Minsk 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
    Minsk $21
    Cartagena $9.82

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Minsk $20
    Cartagena $21

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Minsk $14
    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 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 Minsk and Cartagena, we can see that Minsk is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Minsk is in Europe 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 Minsk would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minsk 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 Minsk Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Cartagena?

Minsk has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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 Minsk or Cartagena?

Minsk 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 Minsk or Cartagena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Minsk is much colder than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Minsk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Minsk usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Minsk 19°C (66°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Cartagena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

In the autumn, Minsk is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minsk in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Minsk 8°C (47°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Cartagena in the Winter?

Both Cartagena and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Minsk in the winter. In January, Minsk is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around -5°C (22°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Minsk usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Minsk -5°C (22°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Cartagena in the Spring?

Both Cartagena and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

Minsk is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.

Minsk usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Minsk 8°C (46°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Minsk

Minsk Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)