Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Santa Marta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santa Marta or Guadalajara?
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 Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Marta $32Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Marta $14Guadalajara $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Marta $28Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta or Guadalajara? 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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Marta $5.27Guadalajara $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$5.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cartagena / Santa Marta Transfer: $328
- 1.Transfer to TAYRONA park from Cartagena Private or Viceversa.: $256
- Barranquilla / Santa Marta Transfer: $236
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $180
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $121
- Private Transfer: From Santa Marta to Tayrona Park (Palomino): $110
- Tayrona / Santa Marta Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotels to Guadalajara Airport: $26
- Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara: $73
- Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita: $240
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Airport to City Transfer: $151
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $174
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 daySanta Marta $10Guadalajara $48
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$3.14
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:
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $74
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Marta $14Guadalajara $28
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Chocoserrano" Chocolate Tour 1 day - Santa Marta: $115
- "Gabo Márquez" Tour - Aracataca and Cienaga: $205
- 2 days 1 night tour - in Trompito, I meet indigenous community Kogui Uldezhaxa.: $190
- 2-Day Cultural Tour to Gotsezhy from Santa Marta: $198
- 2-Day Tour to Ancestral Heritage from Santa Marta: $190
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $374
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $330
- Amazing full day tour to Minca with a private guide: $178
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $192
- Aracataca And Ciénaga - Gabriel García Márquez Tour: $54
- Archeological Tour in Taironaka with River Tubing and a small Lost City: $278
- Authentic experience with the Sewiaxa Kogui community and the River 1 day.: $95
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- 6 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $144
- Air Adventure Paraglide over Incredible Landscapes: $156
- Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines: $43
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour: $120
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
- City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $94
- Complete Tour on the Tequila Route from Guadalajara: $58
- Downtown Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque Tour: $73
- Enjoy an exclusive Tequila Tour with a Tequila Master: $149
- From Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour: $83
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Marta $6.71Guadalajara $18
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$0.58
-
Beer$2.36
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $56
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $173
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $209
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $209
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Marta is in South America and Guadalajara is in North 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 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta and Guadalajara, 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.