Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Valletta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Valletta 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 Valletta 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: Valletta or Cartagena?
Valletta
A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.
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 Historical Tours in Malta, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValletta €116Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Valletta is €116, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Valletta and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValletta €65Cartagena €25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValletta €130Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Valletta and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Valletta 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: Valletta Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valletta €24Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta
Also for Valletta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
- Afternoon Harbours Cruise with Guide and Roundtrip Transfers: $39
- Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
- Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
- Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
- Departure Transfer: Malta Island to Malta Airport MLA by Van: $47
- From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $88
- From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $151
- Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49
- Malta Airport Transfers : $38
- Malta Intl Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $28
- Malta Private Airport Transfer - Arrival: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cartagena HTL-APT(CTG): $17
- Transportation / Transfers: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $23
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $13
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Manzanillo del Mar - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $29
- Transfer in Private Minivan from City Center - Cartagena Airport (CTG): $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cartagena Airport (CTG) - City Center: $20
- Transfer in Private Minivan Cartagena Airport (CTG) - Manzanillo del Mar: $18
- Transfer from the airport to hotels in Boquilla: $13
- Transfer Private Vehicle Cartagena Airport (CTG) -City Cent: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Valletta or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Valletta 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 dayValletta €32Cartagena €9.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta
For Valletta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
- Valletta Food Tour: $49
- Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
- Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
- Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $77
- The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $81
- Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $81
- Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $87
- Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $101
- From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
- Private Valletta Food Tour: $175
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: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $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
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Valletta €27Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Valletta
For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
- Reliving The Sacra Infermeria Augmented Reality Tour: $6.55
- 30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
- Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
- The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket: $7.10
- City Nobles App Tour + Malta5D Entry (optional): $7.53
- Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide): $7.53
- City Nobles App Tour + Optional Malta 5D Show Ticket: $7.64
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
- Self-Guided Audio Tour, Map and Directions: $8.61
- Entry Ticket for The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens : $9.85
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- 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
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayValletta €16Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:
- Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
- Malta Pub Crawl: $22
- The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
- The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
- Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44
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 Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Cartagena, we can see that Valletta is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valletta is in Europe 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 Valletta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valletta 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 Valletta Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valletta or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta 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 Valletta 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 Valletta or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Valletta during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Cartagena. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
In July, Valletta is generally cooler than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 26°C (79°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyValletta 26°C (79°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Valletta or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Valletta is cooler than Cartagena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberValletta 21°C (70°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valletta or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Cartagena. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Valletta usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the winter, Valletta often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Valletta is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryValletta 13°C (55°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Valletta or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Valletta usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Valletta is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilValletta 16°C (61°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Valletta
| Valletta | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 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.