Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Piriapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Piriapolis or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Cartagena, 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: Piriapolis or Cartagena?
Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach 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 Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $67Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Piriapolis and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $27Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $54Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $31Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $40
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $39
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $87
- Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Cartagena - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Cartagena Airport to Cartagena (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Piriapolis 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 dayPiriapolis $23Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- Dinner on a boat at Cartagena Bay: $68
- Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master: $70
- Street Food Tour of Cartagena: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Piriapolis $5.89Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.95
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $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
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Historic Free Tour Slavery and Gethsemane Heritage: $10
- Shared Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Cartagena: $10
- San Diego & Gabriel García Marquez Walking Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $8.11Cartagena $9.39
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 and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $45
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piriapolis and Cartagena, we can see that Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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.
When is the best time to visit Piriapolis or Cartagena?
Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Piriapolis or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Piriapolis is generally cooler than Cartagenain July. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 23°C (73°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piriapolis. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Cartagenain July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Piriapolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Piriapolis is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagenain October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than Cartagenain October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Piriapolis is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piriapolis in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Cartagenain January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In October, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Cartagenain April. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 16°C (61°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Piriapolis this time of the year. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets more sunshine than Cartagenain April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Cartagenain April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.