A Travel Price Comparison for Colombia Santa Marta vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santa Marta or Cartagena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Santa Marta and Cartagena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Santa Marta or Cartagena?

Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.

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 Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Santa Marta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $36, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $51. 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 Santa Marta and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Marta $13
    Cartagena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Marta $26
    Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta 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.

Hotels in Santa Marta


Hotels in Cartagena


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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Marta $4.82
    Cartagena $7.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:


  • Gas
    $4.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta

Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $12
  • Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $142
  • Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
  • Exclusive transfer Santa Marta Airport - Tayrona Park Sector: $64
  • Private Airport Transfer: From Santa Marta Airport to Hotel in Santa Marta: $18
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport (One Way): $12
  • Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $109
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $63
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $204
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $63
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $265
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
  • Transfers from the Airport to Hotels in Cartagena: $13
  • Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
  • Transfer from Rafael Nuñez Airport to Cartagena Hotel Zone: $20
  • Transfer Privado del Aeropuerto de Cartagena (CTG) al Hotel: $38
  • Transfer Cartagena : $53
  • Transfer Airport/Hotel or Hotel/Airport: $18
  • The best private Transfer from/to Cartagena airport. ONE WAY : $23
  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $7.00
  • Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer Cartagena (CTG) Manzanillo del Mar: $27
  • Private transfer one way to or from Cartagena airport: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Santa Marta 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santa Marta $16
    Cartagena $16
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $2.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
  • Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $71
  • Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
  • Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Street food tour Cartagena: $30
  • The best food tour of the old city: $38
  • Street food tour Cartagena: $40
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
  • Street food tour: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Marta $13
    Cartagena $20

Tours and Activities in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America: $6.99
  • Old Town, Harbour & Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.16
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Botanical Garden: $10
  • Musical Experience "Live Musicaribe": $11
  • Chiva Rumbera Night Tour of Santa Marta : $14
  • A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $15
  • Historic Center Bike Tour: $16
  • Cultural Heritage Tour Santa Marta: $20
  • BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
  • White Beach Tour with Lunch: $26
  • TOUR TO INCA INCA BEACH WITH LUNCH: $28

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
  • Guided Tour in Turbaco and the Botanical Garden with Lunch: $80
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • 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
  • Rosario Islands Full Day Tour: $135
  • 1 Hour Private Tour in Cartagena City: $180
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
  • 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
  • 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
  • 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Marta $6.14
    Cartagena $8.60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.53
  • Beer
    $2.16

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Marta

Also in Santa Marta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $16
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $17
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $17

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
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $20
  • Pub Crawl Getsemaní: $22
  • Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $44
  • Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $63
  • Pub Crawl: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Marta Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Cartagena?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta 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.