Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cartagena or Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Puerto Varas?
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.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.
-
Cartagena Prices
Colombia PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $55Puerto Varas $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $55, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $127. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Puerto Varas $67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena or Puerto Varas? 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.46Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $156
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $40
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $167
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $56
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City : $12
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $29
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $63
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $94
- TRANSFER CARTAGENA TO SANTA MARTA OR VICEVERSA IN SHARED CAR: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $19
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $25
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $63
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 dayCartagena $17Puerto Varas $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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $21Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $11
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $11
- CITYTOUR of Cartagena Monuments, Walls and Castles : $11
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena : $12
- Cartagena Sunset Walking Tour: $12
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scenic Catamaran Tour on Llanquihue lake: $8.50
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $36
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $41
- Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $45
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- Shared Full Day Tour to Chiloé Island with Penguins: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.17Puerto Varas $6.51
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 Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cartagena or Puerto Varas?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Cartagena and Puerto Varas, 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 Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Puerto Varas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas during summer. Cartagena gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin January. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCartagena 29°C (84°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Cartagena during the autumn 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 autumn, Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
In the autumn, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin April. Cartagena gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. Cartagena usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Varasin April. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCartagena 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In January, Cartagena is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin July. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cartagena usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Cartagena gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCartagena 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Puerto Varas. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cartagena is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In the spring, Cartagena often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin October. Cartagena gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Cartagena usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCartagena 28°C (82°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.