Which place is cheaper, Cali or Veracruz?
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 Veracruz or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Cali can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Cali?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Veracruz Prices
Mexico PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $151Cali $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $151, while the average daily cost in Cali is $37. 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 Veracruz and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $52Cali $7.15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $104Cali $14
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz or Cali? 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $27Cali $6.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $44
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $52
- Private Transfer to Veracruz Airport (VER): $26
- Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $183
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $174
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $174
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by car: $131
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $91
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $45
- Transfer Airport Private- Hotels North: $36
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $82Cali $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $23
- Street Food Tour Cali Authentic Flavors and Street Art: $29
- Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Cali: $71
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
- Discover Pacific Flavors Cali Cooking Class and Market Tour: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Veracruz $14Cali $13
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $134
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $29
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $107
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $26
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $104
- Full Day Tour to Alvarado and Tlacotalpan from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $101
- Full Day Tour to Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas with Transportation: $98
- Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $92
- Full-Day Tour to El Tajin and Vanilla Factory from Veracruz: $138
- Jalcomulco Rapids Adventure from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $149
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
- Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $149
- Cali City Tour: $224
- Cali City Tour Safe, Comfortable and Authentic Culture: $89
- Cali Day Tour to San Cipriano. Rivers, witches and waterfalls: $140
- Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $64
- Cali private city tour: $120
- City Tour | Guided tour around the city: $99
- Coffee Tour - Discover the secrets of 100% Colombian coffee: $245
- Walking tour of the historic center: $75
- Chef’s Garden Experience at Andoke Butterfly Center: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $16Cali $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Salsa Friday in Calle del Sabor + Bar Crawl in Cali: $32
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Cali, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North America and Cali 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 Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Veracruz Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Veracruz. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz and Cali, 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.
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.