Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam or Cartagena?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €152Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, 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 Rotterdam and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €77Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €154Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS) to Rotterdam- Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Private Direct Transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $295
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $274
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $164
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam, With a 2 Hour Stop: $241
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $208
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $98
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam €54Cartagena €9.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
- 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
- WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- Food Tour by Bike: $91
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
- Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274
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.Rotterdam €32Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.08
- 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.27
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.31
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam €19Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12
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 Rotterdam and Cartagena, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Cartagena?
Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In July, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rotterdam is much colder than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Cartagena. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.