Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Pereira?
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 Pereira 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 Pereira 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: Pereira or Cartagena?
Pereira
Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.
The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.
Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.
Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
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Pereira Prices
Colombia PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPereira $75Cartagena $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $75, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $50. 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 Pereira and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPereira $24Cartagena $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPereira $48Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Pereira 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: Pereira Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pereira $19Cartagena $6.91
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:
- Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $63
- Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $38
- Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $9.74
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
- One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
- PEREIRA/ARMENIA: FULLDAY TRANSFER SALENTO+ FILANDIA + COCORA VALLEY: $102
- Pereira to or from Salento Private Transfer: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $26
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $167
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $56
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $207
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City : $12
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $24
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $35
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $91
- Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by Sedan: $66
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Pereira 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 dayPereira $37Cartagena $16
Typical Food Prices in Pereira
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:
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Hamburger$1.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Street food tour Cartagena: $30
- Food Tour, History & Coffee Experience: $40
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
- Fenix Beach Island Dinner: $60
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Historical Photographic and Street Food Tour: $60
- White night boat tour with dinner and open bar: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pereira $17Cartagena $20
Tours and Activities in Pereira
Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
- PRIVATE TOUR OF MAIN SQUARES, HISTORICAL SITES + LOOKOUT POINT: $51
- Paratrike Experience on the Coffee Cultural Landscape: $70
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $81
- Eco-Park Recinto del Pensamiento Tour: $84
- Tour to hot springs of Santa Rosa from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $84
- Manizales City Tour with Cable Car and Chipre Viewpoint : $87
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
- Private Tour to Coffee Farm (farm of your choice): $100
- Tour Santa Rosa hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $106
- Private Tour of CACAO Chocolate Plantation and Processing: $113
- Private Tour to the Coffee Park from Pereira or Armenia: $115
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Trendy Cartagena photo/ Video Tour Free: $0.02
- Tour Compartido de Gabriel García Marquez en Cartagena: $8.77
- Shared Old Cartagena & Getsemani Tour with Wireless System: $8.77
- Shared Cartagena Old City Tour with Wireless Audio System: $8.77
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $8.77
- Shared Getsemani Art District Tour with Wireless Live System: $8.77
- Tour Compartido al Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Cartagena: $8.77
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $9.74
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPereira $13Cartagena $8.49
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: $18
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $20
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $23
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $61
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pereira and Cartagena, we can see that Pereira is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pereira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pereira 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 Pereira Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pereira or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pereira. When comparing the sizes of Pereira 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.