Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Cartagena?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Riga and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Riga and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $151
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $344
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $462
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $429
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $231
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $183
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $81
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $71
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Cartagena €9.13
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
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
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $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
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $7.00
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.53
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.50
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.69
- Discover Riga's Art Nouveau Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
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: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Cartagena, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Cartagena?
Riga 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 Riga or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Cartagena. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Riga is much colder than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 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 JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Riga or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Riga is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 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 AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Riga
| Riga | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.