Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Cartagena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Cartagena?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $48. 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 Sao Paulo and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo 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.
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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Cartagena $7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (Sedan Executive Class) Transfer VCP Airport • São Paulo: $300
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $124
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $124
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $121
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $142
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $159
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $155
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $129
- Departure Private Transfer Cartagena City to Cartagena Airport CTG by Minibus: $129
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $128
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15Cartagena $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $67
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City and Getsemani: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Cartagena $22
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Accessible sightseeing tour of Cartagena: $165
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- 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
- Private city tour: $197
- "Luxury Day in Tierra Bomba Exclusive Tour to the best Beach Club": $154
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
- 17. Transportation for private CITY TOURS CARTAGENA: $105
- 2 and a half hour Chiva Disco and Rumba Tour: $14
- 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Cartagena $9.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $97
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $181
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 and Complimentary Drinks: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $20
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $20
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl: $70
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $73
When comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and Cartagena, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Cartagena?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo 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.
When is the best time to visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Cartagena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Cartagenain July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Cartagenain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Cartagenain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the winter, Sao Paulo is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Cartagenain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Cartagena. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Cartagenain April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Cartagenain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.