Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or San Jose?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Jose or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Jose 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 Jose or Cartagena?
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
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 Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Jose $90Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in San Jose is $90, 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 Jose and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Jose $49Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Jose $98Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in San Jose and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in San Jose 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 Jose Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Jose $19Cartagena $7.64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to San Jose City by Minivan: $35
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita, English Speaking Driver: $240
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Limon, English Speaking Driver: $192
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $180
- Direct transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna, English Speaking Driver: $153
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $12
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
- Transfer High-end - Kia Quoris: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into San Jose or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and San Jose 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 Jose $18Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose, Costa Rica: $34
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
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 Jose $21Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Visit a Butterfly Chapel, Gardens, Coffee Tour with Typical Lunch: $30
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- Private Custom Guided Tour in San Jose: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- Historical Tour and Old Houses by Dota: $35
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 Hour Panoramic tour for cruise ship passengers: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Jose $17Cartagena $9.39
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
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 Jose and Cartagena, we can see that San Jose is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Jose 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 Jose would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Jose 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 Jose Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Jose or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of San Jose 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 Jose 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 Jose or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and San Jose during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. San Jose gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, San Jose often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. San Jose gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
In the summer, San Jose is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Jose in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Jose 28°C (82°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Jose and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Jose usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Jose gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Jose usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during autumn. San Jose gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, San Jose is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in San Jose average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Jose 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Jose as well as Cartagena. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
San Jose usually gets less rain in January than Cartagena. San Jose gets 8 mm (0.3 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 Jose this time of the year. In the winter, San Jose often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. San Jose gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
San Jose is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in San Jose averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Jose 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Jose or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and San Jose are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Jose usually receives more rain than Cartagena. San Jose gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. San Jose usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. San Jose gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, San Jose is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Jose in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Jose 29°C (85°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and San Jose
| San Jose | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.