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.
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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 The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Colombia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Salento Prices
Colombia PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalento $44Cartagena $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Salento is $44, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $62. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalento $13Cartagena $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalento $26Cartagena $60
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salento $16Cartagena $8.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
- Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $109
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
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Airport Transfers in air conditioning buses: $12
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City: $12
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
- Private Transfer from Terminal to Hotel in Cartagena: $14
- Private Cartagena Hotel to Airport Transfer: Effortless Departure: $15
- Cartagena Rafael Airport (CTG) to Cartagena - Arrival Transfer: $15
- Cartagena to Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) - Departure Private Transfer: $15
- Cartagena Private Transfer from El Laguito to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport: $16
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
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Food Meals for one daySalento $18Cartagena $19
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
- Cooking Classes Food and Cocktail Tasting: $88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- FLAVORS OF STREET FOOD TOUR w/ MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $39
- PROFESSIONAL STREET FOOD TOUR With AUTHENTIC TASTINGS: $39
- Cartagena Bites & Stories: Local Street Food Tour: $40
- Cartagena street food tour: taste authentic flavors: $47
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $52
- Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $53
- Cartagena Bay White Night Tour with Outdoor Bar and Dinner: $58
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience): $59
- Cartagena Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Flavorful Tastings: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salento $13Cartagena $24
Tours and Activities in Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
- Coffee Tasting: A Sensory Brewing Experience in Salento: $15
- Tour of the Don Elías Coffee Farm (Guide in English/Spanish/French): $19
- Salento-Ocaso Farm Coffee Tour – English Tour: $21
- Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso, Traditional Farm – English: $21
- Salento Plant Sightseeing Tour: $24
- Walking Sightseeing Tour with Local Tastings: $29
- Magical Garden Fruit Juice Experience with Colombian Fruit Tasting: $47
- Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $50
- Coffee Cupping Experience: Taste Coffee Like a Professional in Salento: $52
- Coffee Experience & Coffee Tasting at El Jazmín Farm: $54
- Coffee Master Roasting, Brewing and Tasting Tour: $56
- Traditional Coffee Tour with Jeep Willys Ride: $57
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
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $6.72
- 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
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part I: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets.: $11
- Freetour Cartagena and Gethsemane, Caribbean Heritage and Tradition: $12
- Walled Group Tour with Live Audio System: $12
- Experience of CAFÉ in Cartagena: $12
- Cartagena Photo Experience - PRIVATE Photoshoot: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalento $13Cartagena $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $26
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $28
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
- Ultimate Party Combo Cartagena Sunset Boat Party & Pub Crawl: $57
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Wine in the Wild: A Nature-Inspired Wine Tasting near Cartagena: $150
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.