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

Should you visit Nagano or Cartagena?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Cartagena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nagano or Cartagena?

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Nagano?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $90, 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 Nagano and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nagano $61
    Cartagena $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nagano $122
    Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Nagano and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Nagano 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 Nagano


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: Nagano Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nagano $9.80
    Cartagena $7.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano

Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $687

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: $157
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
  • 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
  • Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Nagano 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
    Nagano $22
    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.
    Nagano $8.17
    Cartagena $21

Tours and Activities in Nagano

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.

  • Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $49
  • Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
  • Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $88
  • Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $101
  • Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $183
  • Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $556
  • 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $809
  • Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,381

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
  • Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
  • Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
  • 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
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
  • Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
  • "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25

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


Which is Bigger, Nagano or Cartagena?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Cartagena?

Nagano 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 Nagano or Cartagena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Cartagena. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Nagano is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nagano 25°C (77°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Cartagena in the Autumn?

Both Cartagena and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Nagano is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Nagano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nagano 16°C (60°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Cartagena in the Winter?

Both Cartagena and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

The weather in Nagano can be very cold. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nagano 2°C (36°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Cartagena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Cartagena. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Nagano is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nagano 11°C (52°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Nagano

Nagano Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 446 mm (17.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 275 mm (10.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 191 mm (7.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 152 mm (6 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 222 mm (8.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 26°C (80°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 227 mm (9 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 10°C (50°F) 339 mm (13.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 440 mm (17.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)