A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cartagena vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cartagena or Easter Island?

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 Cartagena and Easter Island can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cartagena or Easter Island?

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.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Chile, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Cartagena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cartagena Prices
    Colombia Prices
    Easter Island Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cartagena $55
    Easter Island $98

The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $55, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $98. 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 Cartagena and Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cartagena $27
    Easter Island $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cartagena $54
    Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Easter Island? 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 Cartagena


Hotels in Easter Island


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: Cartagena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cartagena $7.46
    Easter Island $2.58

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
  • Transportation / Transfers: $27
  • Transfers from the Airport to Hotels in Cartagena: $10
  • Transfer to Exclusive Beach Club in the Rosario Islands.: $150
  • Transfer speedboat round trip Cartagena Islas del Rosario: $40
  • Transfer service in Cartagena: $53
  • Transfer Private Airport - Manzanillo del Mar: $30
  • Transfer Privado del Aeropuerto de Cartagena (CTG) al Hotel: $35
  • Transfer Cartagena : $53
  • The best private Transfer from/to Cartagena airport. ONE WAY : $23
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG)-Manzanillo / Baru: $32
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Easter Island

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer: Mataveri Airport to Easter Island Hotels: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island and Cartagena 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
    Cartagena $17
    Easter Island $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.

  • Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
  • Street food tour Cartagena: $40
  • Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
  • Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
  • Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
  • Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
  • Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
  • Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
  • Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
  • Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

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

  • Easter Island Dinner Show with Transport : $143
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cartagena $21
    Easter Island $40

Tours and Activities in Cartagena

Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM): $40
  • Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
  • Palmarito Tour with Private Beach, Pools and Full Food: $66
  • Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $43
  • Private city tour: $197
  • Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $170
  • Walking Tour of Cartagena Including a Colombian Cup of Coffee: $160
  • 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
  • 2 hrs Tour in Cartagena Bay with Sunset View: $30
  • 2-Hour Cartagena Bay Tour: $30
  • 2-Hour Color and Art Tour in Getsemani: $65
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Bazurto Market: $65

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.38

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

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

  • Orongo City of Kings and Birdman Half Day Tour: $69
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $82
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $82
  • T6-The CULT OF THE BIRD-MAN (non-cruise visitors): $90
  • Full Day Tour Route to Moai Factory: $99
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $107
  • Full day tour - DREAM: $120
  • Full day Easter island Shared Tour : $120
  • The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
  • Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cartagena $9.17
    Easter Island $5.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena

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

  • Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
  • Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
  • Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
  • Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
  • Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
  • Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
  • Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cartagena and Easter Island, we can see that Easter Island is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Easter Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Easter Island 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 Cartagena Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Easter Island?

Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Easter Island, 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 Cartagena or Easter Island?

Easter Island 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 Cartagena or Easter Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Easter Island. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 29°C (84°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the summer, Cartagena often gets less sunshine than Easter Islandin January. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun.

Cartagena usually gets less rain in July than Easter Islandin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cartagena 29°C (84°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Cartagena or Easter Island in the Autumn?

Both Easter Island and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.

Cartagena is a little warmer than Easter Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Cartagena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Easter Island during autumn. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. It's quite rainy in Cartagena. In October, Cartagena usually receives more rain than Easter Islandin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Cartagena or Easter Island in the Winter?

Both Easter Island and Cartagena during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Cartagena is a little warmer than Easter Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cartagena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Easter Island averages at about 18°C (65°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Cartagena. In the winter, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin July. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun.

Easter Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cartagena usually gets less rain in January than Easter Islandin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cartagena 27°C (81°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Cartagena or Easter Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Easter Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.

In April, Cartagena is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 28°C (82°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Easter Island during spring. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cartagena 28°C (82°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Cartagena

Cartagena Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)