A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Terre-de-Haut vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena?

Terre-de-Haut

Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) is a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The islands here are best known for their tropical beauty, untouched beaches, and bayside villages. Only two of the nine are inhabited.

Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes is the most popular island to visit. It is known for the Pain de Sucre, a small bay lined with coconut trees and an ideal location for snorkeling, in addition to white sandy beaches like the Plage de Pompierre. There is also a nineteenth-century fort which can be reached on foot for striking views of the surrounding area.

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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Terre-de-Haut?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Terre-de-Haut is €173, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €47. 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 Terre-de-Haut and Cartagena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Terre-de-Haut 68
    Cartagena 23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Terre-de-Haut 136
    Cartagena 46
Compare Hotels in Terre-de-Haut and Cartagena

Looking for a hotel in Terre-de-Haut 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.

Hotels in Terre-de-Haut


Hotels in Cartagena


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: Terre-de-Haut Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Terre-de-Haut 44
    Cartagena 6.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Terre-de-Haut

Also for Terre-de-Haut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Deshaies or Trois Riviers to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:

  • Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
  • Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
  • Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $250
  • Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $220
  • Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $220
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $211
  • Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
  • Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $210
  • Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
  • Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
  • Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
  • Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178

Is it cheaper to fly into Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena?

Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Terre-de-Haut 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
    Terre-de-Haut 78
    Cartagena 14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
  • Street food tour Cartagena: $40
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
  • Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
  • Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Terre-de-Haut 20
    Cartagena 18

Tours and Activities in Terre-de-Haut

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Terre-de-Haut.

  • Guided Kayaking Tour of the Mitan Pond and its Mangrove: $42
  • Guadeloupe Bus Tour: $72
  • Small Day Cruise (Ilet caret, mangrove, coral reef: $118
  • Private Shooting Tour Around Soufrière: $132
  • Boat Tour with Lunch in the Water in Guadeloupe Lagoon : $149
  • Private French Caribbean Rum Tour with Tastings: $188

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
  • Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
  • 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
  • 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
  • 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Terre-de-Haut 44
    Cartagena 7.85

Sample the Local Flavors in Terre-de-Haut

Also in Terre-de-Haut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided tour with tasting of the Distillery Bonne Mère : $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
  • Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
  • Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Terre-de-Haut and Cartagena, we can see that Terre-de-Haut is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Terre-de-Haut is in Caribbean Islands and Cartagena is in South 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Terre-de-Haut would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Terre-de-Haut than you might in Cartagena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Terre-de-Haut Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Terre-de-Haut as well as Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Terre-de-Haut receives a lot of rain in the summer. Terre-de-Haut usually gets more rain in July than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Terre-de-Haut this time of the year. In the summer, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.

Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Terre-de-Haut 27°C (81°F) 
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena in the Autumn?

Both Cartagena and Terre-de-Haut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Terre-de-Haut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. It's quite rainy in Terre-de-Haut. In October, Terre-de-Haut usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Terre-de-Haut gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Terre-de-Haut 27°C (80°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena in the Winter?

Both Cartagena and Terre-de-Haut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Terre-de-Haut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

Terre-de-Haut usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Terre-de-Haut. In the winter, Terre-de-Haut often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.

In January, Terre-de-Haut is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Terre-de-Haut average around 24°C (76°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Terre-de-Haut 24°C (76°F) 
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Cartagena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Terre-de-Haut and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Terre-de-Haut year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Terre-de-Haut gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Terre-de-Haut usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Terre-de-Haut gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Terre-de-Haut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Terre-de-Haut gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.

Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Terre-de-Haut 26°C (78°F) 
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Cartagena and Terre-de-Haut

Terre-de-Haut Cartagena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)