Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tulum or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Cartagena 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: Tulum or Cartagena?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $135Cartagena $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $135, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $64. 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 Tulum and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $55Cartagena $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $110Cartagena $64
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $26Cartagena $8.81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Airport Transfer One Way - Cancun / Tulum - Private or Luxury: $140
- Cancun Airport CUN Private Departure Transfer by SUV with Drinks: $128
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Hotels Arrival/Departure Transfer: $77
- Cancun International Airport Luxury Private Limo Transfer: $192
- Economy Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport – Safe: $140
- Luxury SUV Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport: $263
- Luxury Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $250
- One Way Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun Int Airport: $170
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Minibus transfers from Tulum Airport: $170
- Private Transfer From Tulum To Chiquila Port: $191
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $201
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Service private transfers Airport/Hotel and vice versa in Cartagena: $12
- Private Airport Transfers in air conditioning buses: $12
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $12
- Private Transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $12
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $12
- Rafael Nunez Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Terminal to Hotel in Cartagena: $14
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Rafael Nuñez Airport: $14
- Cartagena Rafael Airport (CTG) to Cartagena - Arrival Transfer: $15
- Cartagena to Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) - Departure Private Transfer: $15
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City: $15
- Cartagena Private Transfer from El Laguito to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Tulum 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 dayTulum $54Cartagena $20
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $86
- Tortilla & Taco Cooking Class – Mexican Cuisine from scratch: $91
- Mexican Cooking Class with Tacos, Ceviche and Margaritas in Tulum: $95
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $132
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual, Cenote, Yucatecan Dinner from Tulum: $149
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $40
- Cartagena Bites & Stories: Local Street Food Tour: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $40
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR with MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- FLAVORS OF CARTAGENA STREET FOOD TOUR WITH MOUTHWATERING TASTINGS: $45
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $50
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City: $52
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience): $59
- Cartagena Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Flavorful Tastings: $59
- Sunset and Bright Plankton with Dinner at Playa Tranquila Baru: $64
- Cartagena Street Food Tour: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $29Cartagena $25
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Coba Ruins Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Tulum Mayan Ruins GPS Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $11
- Ruins in Tulum Walking Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $11
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Tulum: $15
- Adrenaline ATV Cenote and Zip Lines Experience at Tulum: $25
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $27
- 4 Sacred Cenotes Adventure with Rappel and Mayan Ceremony: $29
- Experience at Cenote Zemway in Tulum: $31
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Tulum Archaeological Site Ticket with Jaguar Park Access: $35
- Experience Mayan Snorkeling and Swimming in Lagoon / Cenote in Tulum: $38
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $6.72
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $6.72
- Cartagena Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h15 and 21 reviews: $6.74
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Cartagena Self Guided Walking Tour Walled City Audio and Quiz: $7.99
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez Shared Tour: the magical Cartagena: $10
- San Felipe Barajas Fortress & Getsemani Shared Tour: $10
- Walled Group Tour with Live Audio System: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets.: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $23Cartagena $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cartagena Pub Crawl with Salsa Class and Shots: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $30
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Cartagena, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Cartagena?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Cartagena. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Cartagena. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Cartagena. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tulum is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Tulum
| Tulum | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.