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 $52Cartagena $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $52, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $64. 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 $18Cartagena $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $36Cartagena $64
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 $8.81
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: $39
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $132
- From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Round-Trip Transfer: $57
- Oaxaca city: Roundtrip Private/Shared Airport Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca de Juárez to Oaxaca Airport (OAX) - Departure Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Airport(OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Luxury Transfer from the Oaxaca Airport to your Hotel: $56
- Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $26
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 to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $292
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $201
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $201
- Private Cartagena Classic Car Airport Transfer: $192
- Cartagena Private Transfer to Santa Marta or Minca or Tayrona: $182
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $180
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $165
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $154
- Bazurto Market Guided Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $125
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 $23Cartagena $20
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:
- Taste Tequila and Mezcal and enjoy a Traditional Dinner: $17
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Night Walk of Urban Legends ghosts and Dinner in Oaxaca: $42
- Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
- Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
- Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
- FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour Led by Local food experts: $64
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $40
- Cartagena Bites & Stories: Local Street Food Tour: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $40
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR with MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR WITH MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $50
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City: $52
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience): $59
- Cartagena Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Flavorful Tastings: $59
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $64
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Cartagena $25
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- Oaxaca Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Oaxaca: Colonial City Bus Tour: $5.81
- Oaxaca: Legends Tour Mezcalbús: $8.71
- Immerse Yourself in Oaxaca: Guided Cultural Walking Tour: $15
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
- Oaxaca Walking Tour: $20
- Oaxaca: Monte Alban, Cuilapam, and Artisan Villages Tour: $21
- First Day in Oaxaca – Guided Walking Tour: $22
- The Treasure of Monte Albán tour to the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca.: $22
- Tour to Monte Albán Alebrijes and Black Pottery from Oaxaca: $22
- Monte Alban Half Day Guided Tour: $22
- Oaxaca: Oaxaca City Beyond the Surface Walking Tour: $23
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
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $32
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $135
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $35
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Tour of Getsemani Color and Art: $70
- 3 Private Islands Experience in Cartagena: $120
- 3 Rosario Islands: A tour of the best islands in Cartagena: $135
- 4 Hour Volcan de Lodo Private Tour: $88
- 4 Islands Tour Cartagena with Snorkel, Cholon & Lunch: $75
- 4-Hour Cartagena de Indias Sightseeing Tour: $230
- 4-Hour Fishing Experience with Locals Near Cartagena: $278
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Cartagena $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $18
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $20
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $60
- Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $65
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $100
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $134
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $30
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.
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.