How Much Does Cartagena Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Cartagena offers a diverse pricing landscape that accommodates both backpackers and high-end travelers, with daily budgets ranging from $43 / COP 156,956 to $535 / COP 1,974,545. While it is more expensive than other Colombian cities like Medellín, it remains a moderate destination compared to major Caribbean hubs like San Juan or Nassau. Costs are heavily influenced by the city's geography; the historic Walled City and the modern Bocagrande strip command higher prices for dining and lodging, while the Getsemaní neighborhood provides a more local, affordable experience. Visitors should prepare for the unique costs of a coastal city, including mandatory dock taxes for island excursions and a premium for beachfront resort stays.
Is Cartagena expensive to visit?
Cartagena is moderately priced for a Caribbean destination, with daily costs ranging from $43 / COP 156,956 for budget travelers to $535 / COP 1,974,545 for luxury seekers.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Cartagena
$43
per person /day
$170
per person /day
$535
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $127 | $511 | $1,605 |
| 5-Day Trip | $213 | $851 | $2,675 |
| 7-Day Trip | $298 | $1,191 | $3,746 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% buffer is recommended to account for the mandatory $7.27 / COP 26,840 dock tax and the 10% voluntary service charge (propina) added to most restaurant bills. This also covers the small nightly taxi surcharge of $0.25 / COP 912 for trips after 20:00.
How Does It Compare?
See how Cartagena stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Cartagena
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range Meal for Two (3-Course) Average cost in tourist areas like San Diego for ~$53 / COP 194,957. | $53 COP 194,957 |
| Street Food Arepa de Huevo A local staple. Costs ~$1.65 / COP 6,080 from street vendors. | $1.65 COP 6,080 |
| Domestic Draft Beer Local beers like Club Colombia or Águila. Costs ~$0.97 / COP 3,561; boutique bars charge ~$4.12–$5.89 / COP 15,201–COP 21,715. | $0.97 COP 3,561 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transcaribe Bus Fare Requires a rechargeable card (~$1.65 / COP 6,080) to use. Fare is ~$0.82 / COP 3,040. | $0.82 COP 3,040 |
| Minimum Taxi Fare Official minimum fare is ~$2.68 / COP 9,902. Night surcharge applies after 20:00 (~$0.25 / COP 912). | $2.68 COP 9,902 |
| Airport to Historic Center Taxi Fixed price of ~$4.64 / COP 17,111. Always confirm the price with the dispatcher at the airport kiosk. | $4.64 COP 17,111 |
| City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Covers 14 stops including the fort and Bocagrande. Costs ~$23 / COP 86,078. | $23 COP 86,078 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clock Hostel & Suites - Dorm Bed Popular boutique hostel in the Walled City. Dorms cost ~$18 / COP 65,796 per night. | $18 COP 65,840 |
| Oz Hotel Luxury (Bocagrande) - Double Room High-rated mid-range option in Bocagrande. Approximately ~$108 / COP 399,556 per night. | $99 COP 367,114 |
| Sofitel Barú Cartagena - Luxury Suite Premium beach resort experience on Barú Island. Approximately ~$343 / COP 1,263,813 per night. | $314 COP 1,158,365 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Castillo de San Felipe (Intl. Adult) Highest standard adult price for international visitors (~$10 / COP 38,479). | $10 COP 38,479 |
| Palace of the Inquisition Entrance Historical museum in the Walled City. Entry is ~$7.13 / COP 26,319. | $7.13 COP 26,319 |
| San Bernardo Park Entry Fee Park fee only (~$3.01 / COP 11,118). Island trips require additional boat and dock fees. | $3.01 COP 11,118 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Claro 10GB) Includes local calls. Costs ~$11 / COP 40,520. Best to buy in official stores. | $11 COP 40,520 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining scene caters to all budgets, from street vendors selling Arepa de Huevo for $1.65 / COP 6,080 to upscale restaurants in San Diego where a mid-range three-course meal for two averages $53 / COP 194,957. Seafood is a staple, but prices increase significantly at beach clubs and island resorts compared to local eateries in Getsemaní.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Restaurante Coroncoro
$6.04–$9.6 / COP 22,280–COP 35,439Getsemaní · Local chain
The best value for a 'corriente' (lunch special) for ~$6.04 / COP 22,280.
La Mulata
$8.78–$15 / COP 32,399–COP 55,677San Diego · Local chain
Arrive before 12:30 to avoid the long lunch queue for the daily special (~$9.6 / COP 35,439).
Stepping Stone
$4.94–$9.6 / COP 18,241–COP 35,439Getsemaní · Bakery
Social enterprise cafe with excellent coffee and eggs for ~$4.94 / COP 18,241.
Gokela
$6.86–$11 / COP 25,320–COP 40,520Bocagrande · Food court
Healthy fast-casual option if you need a break from fried street food (~$7.69 / COP 28,360).
Quero Criollo
$7.69–$12 / COP 28,360–COP 45,558San Diego · Local chain
Great local seafood plates in a charming colonial setting for ~$8.24 / COP 30,401.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is most affordable via the Transcaribe bus system at $0.82 / COP 3,040 per ride, though a rechargeable card must be purchased for ~$1.65 / COP 6,080. Taxis are common and operate on a fixed-rate system, with a minimum fare of $2.68 / COP 9,902 and a standard $4.64 / COP 17,111 rate from the airport to the Historic Center.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from boutique hostels like Clock Hostel & Suites at $18 / COP 65,840 per night to luxury island retreats like Sofitel Barú Cartagena for $314 / COP 1,158,365. Travelers find the best value in Bocagrande, where high-rated hotels like Oz Hotel Luxury average approximately $99 / COP 367,114 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Cartagena
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Eat at Restaurante Coroncoro in Getsemaní for an authentic 'Almuerzo Ejecutivo' (lunch special) that costs significantly less than a standard tourist dinner.
- 2 Buy domestic beer like Club Colombia from street vendors with coolers for ~$0.97 / COP 3,561 instead of paying $4.12–$5.89 / COP 15,201–COP 21,715 in bars.
- 3 Use the official taxi kiosk at the airport to get a printed price voucher for the $4.64 / COP 17,111 fare, preventing overcharging upon arrival.
- 4 Explore the Walled City and Getsemaní on foot rather than paying $23 / COP 86,078 for the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.
- 5 Ask hotel staff to remove the optional 'Seguro Hotelero' (hotel insurance) from the bill to save approximately $2.74 / COP 10,119 per night.
- 6 Dine at Quero Criollo or La Mulata in the San Diego neighborhood for high-quality Caribbean food at lower prices than the central plaza restaurants.
- 7 Bring a reusable water bottle, as many hostels like Clock Hostel & Suites offer filtered water refills for guests.
- 8 Avoid the $7.27 / COP 26,840 dock tax by taking a land-based shuttle or bus to Playa Blanca instead of a boat from Muelle de la Bodeguita.
- 9 Purchase a local SIM card from a Claro store for $11 / COP 40,520 to avoid international roaming and use navigation apps for walking.
- 10 Visit the public beaches in Bocagrande or Marbella for free rather than paying for expensive day passes at private beach clubs.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan
+40-60%
May, Sep, Oct
-20-30%
Feb, Mar, Apr
Cartagena is hottest in May-Oct with high humidity. Dec-Jan is the driest but the wind (Brisa) can make boat trips to the islands very choppy.
Events to Watch
- ● New Year's Week: +100% hotel rates
- ● Holy Week (Semana Santa): +50% activities
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking the 11km of historic colonial walls (Las Murallas) that surround the city.
- 2 Watching the sunset from the walls near the Baluarte de Santo Domingo (standing on the wall is free).
- 3 Spotting sloths, monkeys, and iguanas in the trees of Parque del Centenario.
- 4 A self-guided tour of the vibrant street art and murals throughout the Getsemaní neighborhood.
- 5 Enjoying the live music and local atmosphere at Plaza de la Trinidad in the evenings.
- 6 Window shopping and exploring the historic architecture of the Las Bóvedas vaults.
- 7 People-watching and viewing the bronze sculptures in Plaza de Santo Domingo.
- 8 Visiting the public beaches of Bocagrande or Castillogrande.
- 9 Experiencing the street performances and dancers in Plaza de Bolívar.
- 10 Browsing the traditional sweets at the Portal de los Dulces near the Clock Tower.
- 11 Admiring the exterior and the plaza of the San Pedro Claver Church.
- 12 Walking through the San Diego neighborhood to see the most colorful colonial balconies.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Bora Bora Beach Club Day Pass
The ultimate Rosario Islands experience including boat transfer, lunch, and a sunbed (~$96 / COP 354,389).
Sunset Drinks at Café del Mar
You pay for the view atop the city walls; a cocktail costs ~$12 / COP 45,602 but the sunset is iconic.
Private Speedboat Rental
Avoid crowded tours; a private boat for 8 people costs ~$686 / COP 2,531,969 for the whole day.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Cartagena
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Cartagena and what they cost
Totumo Mud Volcano
$21 / COP 75,959 by bus
$8.23 / COP 30,358
$30 / COP 111,398
San Basilio de Palenque
$41 / COP 151,875 by bus
$14 / COP 50,639
$60 / COP 222,752
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Colombian Peso (COP)
1 $ ≈ 3,690 $
Yes
High in Walled City hotels and upscale restaurants; cash essential for taxis, street food, and island vendors.
10% is standard in restaurants. Round up taxi fares to the nearest ~$0.59 / COP 2,172. Tour guides expect ~$5.89–$12 / COP 21,715–COP 43,430 per day.
Use ATMs inside banks (like Bancolombia or Davivienda) to avoid skimming. Fees are ~$3.53–$5.89 / COP 13,029–COP 21,715 per withdrawal.
Mandatory for street souvenirs and beach vendors. Taxis have fixed official rates, so verify the 'Decreto' price before entering.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$11 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $11 / COP 40,520
WiFi: Excellent in cafes and hotels in the Old Town; nonexistent on island beaches.
Airalo eSIM for ease, but a local Claro SIM (~$11 / COP 40,520) is better for coverage on Barú and Rosario.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Cartagena.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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