Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Salento?
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 Salento or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Salento 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: Salento or Cartagena?
Salento
Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
-
Salento Prices
Colombia PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalento $41Cartagena $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Salento is $41, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $58. 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 Salento and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalento $12Cartagena $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalento $24Cartagena $56
Compare Hotels in Salento and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Salento 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: Salento Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salento $15Cartagena $7.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
- Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Transfers from the Airport to Hotels in Cartagena: $7.50
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $9.29
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $9.29
- Transfer airport - old city (walled city /center): $9.53
- Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $10
- Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels: $10
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $10
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City: $12
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Salento or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Salento 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 daySalento $17Cartagena $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salento.
- Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $37
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena: $47
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salento $12Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
- Coffee Tour Salento-Ocaso Farm- English Tour: $15
- Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso Finca Tradicional-Español: $15
- Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $30
- Guided Walking Tour with Photography Museum Visit: $46
- Coffee Master Roasting, Brewing and Tasting Tour: $50
- Coffee Farm Shared Tour: $51
- Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Private Tour: $60
- Tour Valle del Cocora and Salento, including a typical lunch: $61
- From Cocora Valley Shared Tour: $63
- Armenia, Quindio: Coffee Tour, Transportation, and Quimbaya Gold Museum: $64
- Salento & Cocora Valley Tour: $75
- Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia: $78
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $6.72
- Cartagena Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h15 and 21 reviews: $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets.: $11
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $11
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalento $12Cartagena $9.71
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-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club): $16
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena: $45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salento and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Salento.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salento Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salento or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Salento 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.
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.