Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel or Cartagena?
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 Cozumel and Cartagena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Cartagena?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Cozumel Prices
Mexico PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $122Cartagena $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $122, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $55. 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 Cozumel and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $63Cartagena $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $126Cartagena $54
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $21Cartagena $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Cozumel Island hotels to Cozumel Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $76
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $130
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Cartagena Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $276
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta or viceversa: $250
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Cartagena hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $211
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Hotels to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG) to Santa Marta Port: $210
- Cartagena to or from Palomino Private Transfer: $198
- Cartagena Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $197
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $188
- Cartagena to or from Minca Private Transfer: $178
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $37Cartagena $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
- Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $79
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Cooking Class: $115
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $40Cartagena $21
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- Transparent Boat Tour in See Marine Life Up Close: $19
- Crystal Boat Trip and Snorkeling Tour from Cozumel: $19
- Crystal-clear Boat trip & Snorkeling tour: $19
- Tequila History and Tasting Experience and Unlimited Beach Break: $25
- Cozumel's Reefs in El Cielo, Palancar and Columbia Guided Tour: $29
- El Cielo Snorkeling Tour and The Top Reefs of Cozumel: $29
- Cozumel’s Mayan Journey: Dance, Rituals, and Tasting Tour: $29
- Bicycle Adventure With Snorkel and Lunch: $33
- Cozumel Catamaran Tour: Snorkel at Top Reefs & Open Bar: $35
- VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour: $35
- Transparent Boat Tour in Cozumel Reefs: $35
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $10Cartagena $9.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Cozumel Downtown & Brewery: $69
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $89
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Rum Tasting & Distillery Experience: $107
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
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 Cozumel and Cartagena, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America 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 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.
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.