Which place is cheaper, Sucre or Santa Marta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Marta or Sucre?
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 Sucre 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 Sucre?
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.
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Marta $32Sucre $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, while the average daily cost in Sucre is $43. 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 Sucre in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Marta $14Sucre $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Marta $28Sucre $22
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Sucre
Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta or Sucre? 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 Sucre Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Marta $5.27Sucre $12
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:
- Cartagena / Santa Marta Transfer: $331
- 1.Transfer to TAYRONA park from Cartagena Private or Viceversa.: $256
- Barranquilla / Santa Marta Transfer: $238
- Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $180
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $142
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $121
- Private Transfer: From Santa Marta to Tayrona Park (Palomino): $110
- Tayrona / Santa Marta Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $68
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Sucre?
Prices for flights to both Sucre 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 $10Sucre $18
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:
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $75
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
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Dinner$4.48
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Juice$0.87
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Juice$1.01
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Chocolate$1.73
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Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Marta $14Sucre $16
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: $334
- Amazing full day tour to Minca with a private guide: $178
- Ancestral Thought Tour: $180
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $192
- Ancestral Thought Tour two days and one night: $200
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- From Tour in English Uyuni salt flat tour 2 Days: $150
- From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Hiking Tour in El Palmar from Sucre Bolivia: $250
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $21
- City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Marta $6.71Sucre $13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Sucre, we can see that Sucre 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 Sucre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sucre 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 Sucre Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Sucre?
Santa Marta has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Sucre. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta and Sucre, 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.