Which place is cheaper, Salta or Santa Marta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Marta or Salta?
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 Salta 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 Salta?
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.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Marta $32Salta $9.62
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, while the average daily cost in Salta is $9.62. 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 Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Marta $14Salta $3.47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Marta $28Salta $6.94
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta or Salta? 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 Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Marta $5.27Salta $4.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
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Gas$5.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers SANTA MARTA AIRPORT TO HOTEL IN SANTA MARTA: $31
- Transfer in private minivan from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $21
- Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $14
- Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $14
- Tayrona / Santa Marta Transfer: $87
- Santa Marta to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $35
- Santa Marta to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $41
- Santa Marta to or from Barranquilla Private Transfer: $67
- Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Santa Marta Airport(SMR) to City: $28
- Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $180
- Private Transfer: From Santa Marta to Tayrona Park (Palomino): $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Salta are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yungas : full day with gauchos - transfer inc. from Salta: $189
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $5.50
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $20
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta 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
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Food Meals for one daySanta Marta $10Salta $3.27
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $77
Typical Food Prices in Salta
For Salta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Emplanadas$0.01
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Lunch$0.67
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Coffee$0.14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Marta $14Salta $3.40
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.: $189
- 2-Day Cultural Tour to Gotsezhy from Santa Marta: $198
- 2-Day Tour to Ancestral Heritage from Santa Marta: $190
- 3-Day Private Tour of Taorayiná Ecolodge and Nature Reserve: $200
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $374
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $342
- Amazing full day tour to Minca with a private guide: $178
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $192
- Ancestral Thought Tour two days and one night: $200
- Aracataca And Ciénaga - Gabriel García Márquez Tour: $54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Salta
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Salta's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Gondola Ride$0.02
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Pool$0.06
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Wine and Cheese night$4.15
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $18
- Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $41
- Best of Guided City Tour: $27
- Bungee Jumping Adrenaline Experience on Cabra Corral Dam: $107
- Cachi Full Day Tour from Salta: $58
- Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $57
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $276
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $33
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $18
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $33
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $34
- From Full-Day Tour to Humahuaca, Purmamarca and Tilcara: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Marta $6.71Salta $1.37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
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Beer$0.58
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Beer$2.36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Salta are as follows:
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Beer$0.01
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Alcohol$0.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $30
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $33
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $122
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Salta, we can see that Santa Marta is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Santa Marta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Marta than you might in Salta.
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 Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta and Salta, 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.