A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Medellin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Medellin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Medellin, 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: Nassau or Medellin?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Nassau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 Nassau and Medellin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $109
    Medellin $4.75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $218
    Medellin $9.50
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Medellin

Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Medellin? 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 Nassau


Hotels in Medellin


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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Medellin $4.14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $8.02
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • (Private) Nassau Bahamas Airport Round-Trip Transfers (1-4ppl One Flat Rate): $160
  • Airport Transfer: $190
  • Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
  • Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
  • Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
  • Group transfer: $68
  • Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
  • Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
  • Luxury Taxi Transfer to Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island: $125
  • Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Arrival Transfer: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • 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
  • Transfer Private Car from Medellin city - Medellin Airport (MDE): $23
  • Medellín Airport shuttle - Airport Transfer: $25
  • Medellin hotels to Medellin Airport (EOH) - Departure Transfer: $27
  • Medellin to Olaya Herrera Airport(EOH)-Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin -Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer Aerop Jose Maria Cordova - Up to 3 people: $33
  • Transfer in Private Car from Guatape- Medellin airport (MDE): $34
  • Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $44
  • Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
  • RoundtripTransfer Privatecar Medellin Airport (MDE) Medellin City: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Medellin?

Prices for flights to both Medellin and Nassau 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
    Nassau $53
    Medellin $9.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.

  • Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
  • Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
  • Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
  • Island Food Tour: $140
  • Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • 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: $69
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
  • Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $100
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
  • Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
  • Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
  • A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
  • ATV Adventure Including Medellin City and Food Tour: $185

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Medellin $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:

  • All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
  • KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
  • Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
  • Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
  • Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
  • Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
  • Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
  • Island Tour: $44
  • Nassau Historical Walking Tour: $49

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
  • Comuna 13 GraffiTour with Spray Painting and Typical Food C13: $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
  • GRAFITOUR COMUNA 13 more than a tour an EXPERIENCE: $15
  • Walking Historical tour of Medellín, walking reality.: $15
  • 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
  • From violence to innovation (Virtual Guided Tour): $19
  • Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour with Cable Car: $20
  • Storytellers Tours: $21
  • Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Medellin $7.21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • Cocktail
    $6.52

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

  • Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
  • Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
  • All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
  • Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Medellin, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Medellin 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 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Medellin?

Medellin has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Medellin, 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.