Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Roatan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Roatan or Medellin?
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 Roatan and Medellin. 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: Roatan or Medellin?
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoatan $38Medellin $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $38, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 Roatan and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoatan $11Medellin $4.75
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoatan $22Medellin $9.50
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Roatan or Medellin? 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: Roatan Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roatan $19Medellin $4.14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$4.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- AJ's Sloth & Monkeys Family Excursion, City Tour & Private Transfer: $57
- Chocolate Factory, Rum Factory, Markets, Island Tour, Private Transfer: $50
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $110
- East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
- Ground transfers and ticket ferry to Utila or La Ceiba: $80
- Honduras Airport(RTB) to Honduras -Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Honduras to Honduras Airport (RTB)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $65
- Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
-
Taxi$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $16
- Medellin Airport (MDE) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Transfer Private Car from Medellin city - Medellin Airport (MDE): $23
- Medellín Airport shuttle - Airport Transfer: $25
- Medellin hotels to Medellin Airport (EOH) - Departure Transfer: $27
- Medellin to Olaya Herrera Airport(EOH)-Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin -Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Aerop Jose Maria Cordova - Up to 3 people: $33
- Transfer in Private Car from Guatape- Medellin airport (MDE): $34
- Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $44
- Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
- RoundtripTransfer Privatecar Medellin Airport (MDE) Medellin City: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin and Roatan 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
-
Food Meals for one dayRoatan $9.43Medellin $9.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise in Roatan with Snorkeling and Dinner : $100
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $200
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
-
Lunch$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $100
- Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
- Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
- Combo Tour: Metro System, Christmas Lights and Food Tour of Medellin: $166
- A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
- ATV Adventure Including Medellin City and Food Tour: $185
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roatan $27Medellin $13
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Shore Excursion: Roatan VIP Customizable Island Tour: $35
- Half Day Roatan Sightseeing and Jungle Island Tour: $41
- Eco-Walk Nature Tour: $41
- Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $44
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Shore Excursion: Private Half-Day Sightseen Tour and Beach: $45
- Monkeys and Sloth Hang Out with Island Tour in Roatan: $49
- Monkeys & sloth hangout,Chocolate Factory,Rum Factory, island tour/Beach : $49
- Roatan City Tour-Viewpoints, Landmarks, Chocolate and Rum Tasting: $50
- Guided Tour to Discover Roatán Starting from the Center: $50
- Goodman's Island Style Roatan Highlights Tour: $50
- Roatan Shore Excursion: Kayak Harbor Adventure and Reef Snorkel: $51
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
- Comuna 13 GraffiTour with Spray Painting and Typical Food C13: $11
- Graffitour Medellín: History, Transformation and Overcoming": $13
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Medellín: $13
- Post-conflict and Violence Tour (after Pablo) in Medellin: $13
- GRAFITOUR COMUNA 13 more than a tour an EXPERIENCE: $15
- Walking Historical tour of Medellín, walking reality.: $15
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- From violence to innovation (Virtual Guided Tour): $19
- Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour with Cable Car: $20
- Storytellers Tours: $21
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food: $22
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoatan $7.07Medellin $7.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
- All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
- Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Medellin, we can see that Roatan is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Roatan is in Central America and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Roatan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roatan than you might in Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roatan Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Roatan or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Roatan and Medellin, 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.