Which place is cheaper, Cali or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Cali, 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 Ignacio or Cali?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Cali $25
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Cali is $25. 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 Ignacio and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Cali $6.16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Cali $12
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Cali
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Cali? 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Cali $5.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $102
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $98
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $18
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $147
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $113
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $21Cali $8.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
- Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Cali $11
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Salsa, Urban Art & Resistance Tour in Cali: $13
- Gastronomic Tour at the Alameda Market Shared: $13
- Cali Salsa Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $15
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $35
- Walking tour of the historic center: $37
- Cali Walking Tour: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Cali $8.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Cali, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central America and Cali 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 Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Ignacio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Ignacio than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Cali, 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.