A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Marta vs. Valdivia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santa Marta or Valdivia?

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 Valdivia 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 Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Santa Marta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Marta $14
    Valdivia $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Marta $28
    Valdivia $82
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia


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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Marta $5.17
    Valdivia $8.19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta

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


  • Gas
    $5.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta

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

  • Cartagena / Santa Marta Transfer: $334
  • Barranquilla / Santa Marta Transfer: $241
  • Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
  • Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $180
  • Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $144
  • Santa Marta to or from Cartagena Private Transfer: $125
  • Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $121
  • Private Transfer: From Santa Marta to Tayrona Park (Palomino): $110
  • Tayrona / Santa Marta Transfer: $86
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $77
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $77
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

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

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $58

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $9.82
    Valdivia $22
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta

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


  • Breakfast
    $3.08

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: $76
  • Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Marta $14
    Valdivia $13

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.: $191
  • 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: $337
  • Ancestral Thought Tour: $180
  • Ancestral Thought Tour two days and one night: $200
  • 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 Valdivia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.

  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $85
  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Private City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Marta $6.58
    Valdivia $4.85
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
    $0.57
  • Beer
    $2.31


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Valdivia, we can see that Valdivia 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 Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia 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 Valdivia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Valdivia?

Santa Marta has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta and Valdivia, 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.