Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)?
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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and Cartagena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or Cartagena?
Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
An island of the Caribbean Netherlands, St. Eustatius, sometimes called Statia, is a small, relatively unknown destination to the greater tourist areas of the Caribbean. As a result, however, it is its own treasure consisting of a dormant volcano known as the Quill and featuring a lush rainforest, narrow volcanic beaches, many dive sites, and a quaint harbor town.
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) Prices
Caribbean Netherlands PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $225Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) is $225, 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $92Cartagena $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $184Cartagena $56
Compare Hotels in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $70Cartagena $7.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius):
- St Kitts & Nevis Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $42
- St. Kitts Beach Transfers Round trip: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $165
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $180
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $58
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $250
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City: $12
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $33
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $40
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $101
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $82
- Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by Sedan: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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 dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $89Cartagena $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius).
- St.Kitts Downtown Basseterre Walking Food Tour: $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: $39
- 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
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $37Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius)
Here are a few actual costs in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour of Basseterre: $26
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of St Kitts: $40
- Scenic City Tour and Beach Escape: $40
- St Kitts Top Sights Open Air Safari Tour with Beach Time: $45
- City Tour, Timothy Hill Lookout and South Friars Beach: $55
- Full Island Private Tour: $60
- Rainforest Tours in St. Kitts: $62
- Basseterre Plantation Half Day Tour: $66
- Rosevelt's Special Best of St. Kitts/Panoramic Tour: $67
- Full Island Panoramic Tour of St Kitts: $68
- Wingfield Rainforest Adventure Hike and Caribelle Batik stop: $70
- St. Kitts Rainforest Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $6.72
- Cartagena Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h15 and 21 reviews: $6.96
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets.: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $11
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $11
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOranjestad (Sint Eustatius) $26Cartagena $9.71
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-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club): $16
- 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
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) and Cartagena, we can see that Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) is in Caribbean Islands 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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 Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 870 times larger than the population of Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius). When comparing the sizes of Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) 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.