A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cali vs. Ushuaia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cali or Ushuaia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and Ushuaia 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: Cali or Ushuaia?

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.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Cali?

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 Cali is $31, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $0.00. 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 Cali and Ushuaia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cali $6.02
    Ushuaia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cali $12
    Ushuaia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Cali and Ushuaia

Looking for a hotel in Cali or Ushuaia? 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 Cali


Hotels in Ushuaia


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: Cali Hotel Prices and Ushuaia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cali $5.62
    Ushuaia -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.00

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
  • Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $250
  • City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $183
  • Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
  • Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
  • Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $93
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $71
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $71
  • Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia

Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ushuaia:Trekking Glaciar & Ice Caves W/Lunch and Transfer: $176
  • Transfers to Cerro Castor: $20
  • Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $7.00
  • National Park, Train and Navigation. Airport transfer included: $204
  • Husky Trekking with Transfer: $62
  • Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $112
  • Complete Husky Experience + Buoy Park with Transfer: $124
  • Antarctic Experience W/Snowmobile Ride & Transfer: $242
  • Airport Transfer: $10
  • Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $25
  • Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Ushuaia Low cost Transfers: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Ushuaia?

Prices for flights to both Ushuaia and Cali 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
    Cali $15
    Ushuaia -

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: $29
  • Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
  • Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
  • Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
  • Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $67
  • Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
  • Food Tour San Antonio: $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia

For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
  • Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $170
  • Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
  • Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
  • Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
  • Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
  • Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cali $11
    Ushuaia -

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking Tour through Cali : $68
  • A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
  • Afro Walking Tour. The colors of Cali.: $40
  • Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $140
  • Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $179
  • Cali Birdwatching and Botany Tour at KM18: $160
  • Cali City Tour: $202
  • Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $56
  • Cali Private City Tour with Salsa Lesson, Museums or Food: $107
  • Cali River Waterfall Tour (4 hours): $59
  • Cali River Waterfall Tour (Pance): $59
  • Cali Salsa Tour: Dance & Play instruments: $78

Tours and Activities in Ushuaia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.

  • 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
  • 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $200
  • 4W4 Adventure in Lagos Full Day with Roast : $170
  • 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $167
  • 4x4 Adventure at Lago Fagnano from Ushuaia: $236
  • 4x4 Lake Fagnano Adventure from Ushuaia: $218
  • 5-Hour National Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $205
  • 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $150
  • 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $115
  • Adventure in the Lakes Fueguinos quadricycles and Patagonian lamb: $238
  • Adventure through Lagos 4X4 in Ushuaia: $162
  • Albino's Eye Glacier Full-Day Trekking Tour from Ushuaia: $286

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cali $8.48
    Ushuaia -

Sample the Local Flavors in Cali

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

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $25
  • Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
  • Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
  • Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210

Sample the Local Flavors in Ushuaia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:

  • Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $115
  • City tour and Wine tasting: $115


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cali Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cali or Ushuaia?

Cali has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Cali and Ushuaia, 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.