Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or San Fernando?
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 San Fernando or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Fernando or Cartagena?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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San Fernando Prices
Trinidad and Tobago PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Fernando $188Cartagena $55
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $188, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $55. 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 San Fernando and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $74Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $148Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50Cartagena $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $211
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $210
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and San Fernando 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 daySan Fernando $83Cartagena $17
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
- Street food tour Cartagena: $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
- 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
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Fernando $28Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
- Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
- 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
- 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Fernando $22Cartagena $9.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Cartagena, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Fernando or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Cartagena. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the summer, San Fernando often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and San Fernando during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the winter, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
In January, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Fernando 26°C (78°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and San Fernando
| San Fernando | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.