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

Should you visit Montanita or Cartagena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita 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: Montanita or Cartagena?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Montanita?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, 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 Montanita and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montanita $41
    Cartagena $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montanita $82
    Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Montanita 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 Montanita


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.
    Montanita $39
    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 Montanita or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Montanita 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
    Montanita $28
    Cartagena $9.82

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.
    Montanita $31
    Cartagena $21

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
    Montanita $7.86
    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 Montanita and Cartagena, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Montanita or Cartagena?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Montanita or Cartagena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Cartagena. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Montanita usually gets less rain in July than Cartagena. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the summer, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

In July, Montanita is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 25°C (78°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montanita 25°C (78°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Montanita or Cartagena in the Autumn?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montanita 26°C (78°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Montanita or Cartagena in the Winter?

Both Cartagena and Montanita during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

Montanita usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Montanita is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montanita in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montanita 27°C (80°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Montanita or Cartagena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Montanita usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montanita 27°C (81°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Montanita

Montanita Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 26 mm (1 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)