Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane 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: Vientiane or Cartagena?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Cartagena $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, 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 Vientiane and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Cartagena $7.49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $6.30Cartagena $9.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Cartagena $9.21
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 Vientiane and Cartagena, we can see that Cartagena is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Cartagena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cartagena than you might in Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Cartagena. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In October, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vientiane is cooler than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 85 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 Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is a little warmer than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.