Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Cartagena? 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: Oaxaca de Juarez or Cartagena?
Oaxaca de Juarez
Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.
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 from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $54Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $58. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $19Cartagena $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Cartagena $56
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez 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.
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: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Cartagena $7.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfers Oaxaca and private services: $41
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido: $295
- From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $436
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $408
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $30
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $59
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $27
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $300
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $218
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $218
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $208
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $208
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Oaxaca de Juarez 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 dayOaxaca de Juarez $24Cartagena $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez
For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
- Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Electric Bike Food Tour in Oaxaca: $59
- Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
- Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $71
- Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $36
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $37
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $43
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena: $47
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- Oaxaca Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.24
- Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.45
- Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $6.53
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $20
- Oaxaca: Guided Bike Tour to the Largest Tree in the World: $20
- First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $21
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $22
- Monte Alban Only - Half Day Guided Tour - Oaxaca: $24
- Free Tour Oaxaca Essential : History and Tips of a Local Guide: $24
- Private Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Walking Tour: $25
- Half Day Teotitlan Del Valle Village Shared Tour: $25
- Walking tour Mercado de Abastos: $27
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour.: $140
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $135
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $70
- 2-hour tour in Cartagena Sunset View in party boat: $21
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Emblematic Sites of Cartagena: $140
- 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island: $110
- 5 Rosary Islands Tour by Sports Boat, Lunch and Snorkel: $93
- 5 Stop Boat Tour Rosario Islands with Lunch, Forts, & Snorkeling: $70
- A Magical Night Party Bus Experience in Cartagena: $30
- ANGLE - Experience Cartagena With a Local Photographer: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Cartagena $9.71
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $21
- Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
- From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
- Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $71
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $106
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $26
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Ultimate Party Combo Cartagena Sunset Boat Party & Pub Crawl: $57
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When comparing the travel costs between Oaxaca de Juarez and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Cartagena is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez 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.
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.