Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Cartagena?
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!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $128
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $21
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $26
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $37
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 $21Cartagena $10
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 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: $43
- 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
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Totumo Mud Volcano Experience: $0.21
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.02
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.23
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.52
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Cartagena $9.39
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: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Cartagena, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central America 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 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 Cartagena.
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 Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Ignacio in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Ignacio is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 24°C (74°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Cartagena. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
San Ignacio usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 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 Ignacio this time of the year. In the spring, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.