Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Rosario Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rosario Islands or Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Rosario Islands and Medellin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Rosario Islands or Medellin?
Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.
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 G Adventures Tours to Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Colombia.
-
Rosario Islands Prices
Colombia PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRosario Islands $96Medellin $26
The average daily cost (per person) in Rosario Islands is $96, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $26. 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 Rosario Islands and Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRosario Islands $30Medellin $4.15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRosario Islands $60Medellin $8.30
Compare Hotels in Rosario Islands and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Rosario Islands 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: Rosario Islands Hotel Prices and Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rosario Islands $41Medellin $3.62
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
-
Taxi$1.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Airport Transfer: $50
- Airport Transfers : $120
- Airport Transfers Medellín (per way): $44
- Arrival Transfer from Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin by Minibus: $182
- From Medellin Airport: Private Car Transfer to Medellin: $23
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $50
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Arrival): $35
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
- Medellín Airport Transfer: $50
- Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $43
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport : $30
- Medellín to Guatapé: Private Transfer: $221
Is it cheaper to fly into Rosario Islands or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin and Rosario Islands 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 dayRosario Islands $43Medellin $15
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
-
Lunch$1.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $7.00
- Medellin Food Tour Laureles: $31
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $42
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with 10 + Tastings in El Poblado: $45
- City Tour by Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $47
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
- Private Half-Day Food Tour Visiting Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
- MEDELLÍN: PRIVATE FOOD TOUR WITH THE BEST VIEWPOINTS!: $80
- Medellín Food Tour: $94
- Traditional Food Tour: $95
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $100
- Best Food Tour and Horseback Adventure in Medellin: $163
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rosario Islands $12Medellin $11
Tours and Activities in Rosario Islands
Here are a few actual costs in Rosario Islands for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector: $45
- Tour to Chichen Itza Cenote and Valladolid Plus: $60
- 30 Minutes Cartagena Efoil FliteScooter Experience in Baru: $80
- Cartagena Efoil FliteBoard Experience in Baru 1H: $150
- 1 Hour Cartagena Efoil Flitescooter Experience in Baru : $150
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour El Poblado District in Medellin: $5.23
- Medellin's Violence & Post-conflict Tour (after Pablo E.): $5.23
- Medellin's Historic Downtown Walking Tour: $5.23
- Comuna 13 history, Local food and Metrocable tour: $5.94
- Laureles: Gastronomic Tour and Colombian Food Tasting.: $5.94
- Graffiti tour comuna 13 y ricos aperitivos Guiado por local: $6.00
- Medellín: Comuna 13 (Graffitour) Discover the Transformation: $7.13
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour With Snacks And Your Own Graffiti: $7.13
- Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
- Museum of Antioquia Skip-the-Line Ticket: $7.40
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and Street Food: $8.32
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Snacks Included: $9.03
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRosario Islands $5.35Medellin $6.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Craft Brewery Tour: $12
- Medellin El Poblado Pub Crawl: Rooftop Vibes and Club Hoppin: $20
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $36
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $86
- All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rosario Islands and Medellin, we can see that Rosario Islands is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Rosario Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
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.