Cartagena Prices (2026): $35–90/Day
Based on 15 price checks·Prices in COP (≈ USD)·Updated August 2026
Discover what things really cost in Cartagena, Colombia. Compare local prices vs tourist prices to spend smarter.
Popular in Cartagena: everyday prices
Daily Budget by Traveler Type — Cartagena (2026)
Estimated daily spend for food, drinks, and local transport. Excludes accommodation and flights.
≈ COP 661,500 for a 7-day trip
Street food, public transport, budget accommodation. Eats where locals eat, walks when possible.
≈ COP 2,688,000 for a 7-day trip
Mix of local restaurants and tourist spots, occasional taxi rides, comfortable guesthouses.
≈ COP 4,014,500 for a 7-day trip
Kid-friendly restaurants, taxi for convenience, family rooms. Budget includes snacks and activities.
≈ COP 476,000 for a 7-day trip
Minimal eating out, cooking when possible, free activities, coworking day passes.
Average Travel Costs in Cartagena
Cartagena has distinct pricing for locals and tourists. Understanding where to shop and eat can save you significantly.
A typical daily budget for Cartagena covers around COP 15000 (budget) to COP 40000 (mid-range) for food and drinks alone, excluding accommodation and transport.
How Pricing Works in Cartagena
We track 15 everyday purchases in Cartagena, across 4 categories (food, drinks, activities, transport). Averaged across all of them, visitor-facing prices run about 161% above what residents pay, based on figures last reviewed in August 2026.
The widest gap in Cartagena is empanadas: COP 1500–3000 at local prices against COP 5000–10000 in the visitor zone. The most consistent is chiva party bus at COP 40000–60000, which is priced much the same wherever you buy it.
That pattern matters more than any single price. In Cartagena, the money leaks through a handful of categories rather than evenly across a trip — fix those and the rest of your spending in Colombia looks after itself.
Cost of Food, Transport & Activities
Food
Drinks
Activities
Cartagena Price List — All Items (2026)
Local prices vs tourist-area prices. Tap any row for a detailed breakdown.
| Item | Local Price | Tourist Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food | ||||
| Arepas con Huevo | COP 3,000–6,000 | COP 8,000–15,000 | ||
| Ceviche | COP 18,000–35,000 | COP 45,000–85,000 | ||
| Empanadas | COP 1,500–3,000 | COP 5,000–10,000 | ||
| Fresh Fruit Salad | COP 5,000–10,000 | COP 15,000–25,000 | ||
| Fried Fish Lunch | COP 20,000–35,000 | COP 50,000–90,000 | ||
| Drinks | ||||
| Beer | COP 3,500–6,000 | COP 10,000–18,000 | ||
| Cocktail | COP 15,000–25,000 | COP 35,000–60,000 | ||
| Coffee | COP 3,000–6,000 | COP 8,000–15,000 | ||
| Fresh Juice | COP 3,000–6,000 | COP 10,000–18,000 | ||
| Activities | ||||
| Boat to Rosario Islands | COP 80,000–120,000 | COP 180,000–300,000 | ||
| Chiva Party Bus | COP 40,000–60,000 | COP 80,000–120,000 | ||
| City Walking Tour | COP 0–50,000 | COP 80,000–150,000 | ||
| Massage | COP 60,000–100,000 | COP 150,000–250,000 | ||
| Sunset Sail | COP 80,000–150,000 | COP 200,000–400,000 | ||
| Transport | ||||
| Taxi Airport Transfer | COP 25,000–35,000 | COP 50,000–80,000 | ||
All prices in COP. Ranges reflect neighborhood and venue variation.
How Much Does a 7-Day Trip to Cartagena Cost? (2026)
Estimated total vacation cost for 7 nights in Cartagena, including food, drinks, transport, and accommodation.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food (3 meals/day) | COP 60,000 | COP 127,500 | COP 270,000 |
| Drinks & coffee | COP 9,500 | COP 22,000 | COP 48,000 |
| Local transport | COP 25,000 | COP 42,500 | COP 160,000 |
| Accommodation | COP 160,000 | COP 850,000 | COP 3,150,000 |
| Daily total | COP 254,500 | COP 1,042,000 | COP 3,628,000 |
| 7-day total | COP 1,781,500 | COP 7,294,000 | COP 25,396,000 |
Budget = local prices, street food, hostels. Mid-range = mix of local and tourist spots, 3-star hotels. Comfort = tourist-area dining, 4-star hotels. Excludes flights and activities.
Best Time to Visit Cartagena — Seasonal Prices
Prices in Cartagena fluctuate by season. Visiting during shoulder or off-season can save you 20–30% on total trip costs.
December–March (dry season / holidays)
~COP 35,000/day
Accommodation +25%, flights +20–40%. Book 2–3 months ahead.
April–May and October–November
~COP 28,000/day
Best value-to-experience ratio. Fewer crowds, fair weather, normal pricing.
June–September (rainy season, varies by region)
~COP 22,400/day
Save 20% on accommodation. Some attractions may have reduced hours.
Hidden Costs in Cartagena Most Travelers Miss
These overlooked expenses can add 10–25% to your daily budget. Plan ahead to avoid surprises.
ATM / Cash Withdrawal Fees
$2–$5 per transaction
Withdraw larger amounts less often. Some ATMs charge less (Scotiabank in many countries).
Propina (Tipping)
10–15% at restaurants
Expected in sit-down restaurants. Street food and taxis: round up.
Tourist Entrance Fees
$5–$30 for major sites
Machu Picchu, Chichén Itzá, etc. require advance booking. Prices rise yearly.
SIM Card / Data
$5–$15 for prepaid plan
Claro and Movistar have the best coverage in most countries.
Departure Tax
$0–$40 (some countries)
Often included in airfare now, but check—Colombia, Costa Rica may charge separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
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