A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Port-of-Spain vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Port-of-Spain or Columbia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Port-of-Spain and Columbia 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: Port-of-Spain or Columbia?

Port-of-Spain

Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Columbia or Port-of-Spain?

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 Port-of-Spain is $213, while the average daily cost in Columbia 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 Port-of-Spain and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Port-of-Spain $80
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Port-of-Spain $160
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Port-of-Spain and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Port-of-Spain or Columbia? 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 Port-of-Spain


Hotels in Columbia


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: Port-of-Spain Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Port-of-Spain $49
    Columbia -

Is it cheaper to fly into Port-of-Spain or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia and Port-of-Spain 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
    Port-of-Spain $94
    Columbia $8.70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Port-of-Spain $59
    Columbia -

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Lanterns and Lunacy of the Lost: Cruel Columbia Ghost Tours: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Port-of-Spain $22
    Columbia $88


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

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


Which is Bigger, Port-of-Spain or Columbia?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Port-of-Spain. When comparing the sizes of Port-of-Spain and Columbia, 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 Port-of-Spain or Columbia?

Columbia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Port-of-Spain experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Port-of-Spain and Columbia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Port-of-Spain is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Port-of-Spain, it's very sunny this time of the year. Port-of-Spain usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Port-of-Spain gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Port-of-Spain gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Port-of-Spain usually receives more rain than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Port-of-Spain as well as Columbia. Port-of-Spain attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia for the shopping scene during these months.

Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port-of-Spain this time of the year. In the autumn, Port-of-Spain often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Port-of-Spain usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Port-of-Spain are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Port-of-Spain is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Port-of-Spain in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port-of-Spain. Port-of-Spain usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Port-of-Spain gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Port-of-Spain usually receives less rain than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Port-of-Spain 26°C (78°F) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Port-of-Spain during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Port-of-Spain is generally much warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Port-of-Spain. In the spring, Port-of-Spain often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Port-of-Spain usually gets less rain in April than Columbia. Port-of-Spain gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Port-of-Spain

Port-of-Spain Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


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