Cartagena Travel Budget: How Much Does a Typical Trip Cost in 2026
Cartagena de Indias, that city that seems frozen in time between colonial walls and Caribbean breezes, has a price. A price that varies depending on how you want to experience it: whether you prefer to get lost in its alleyways with a corozo juice in hand or dream of sunsets on boutique hotel terraces. Planning a trip here is like putting together a puzzle where each piece —the neighborhood where you sleep, the time you eat, the beach you choose— affects the total you'll end up paying.
In 2026, Cartagena remains an accessible destination, but with nuances. Seasonality makes a difference: from December to March and in July, prices inflate like ship sails. In the low season, between April and June or September to November, the city breathes more calmly and your wallet does too. Key factors are accommodation (Getsemaní or Bocagrande?), food (gourmet restaurant or street stall?), and activities (private tour or self-guided walk?).
Detailed Expense Breakdown
Accommodation (per night)
- Budget: Hostels in Getsemaní or Centro: 80,000 - 150,000 COP (20 - 35 USD). Beds in shared dorms, sometimes with breakfast included.
- Mid-range: 3-star hotels in Bocagrande or private rooms on Airbnb: 250,000 - 450,000 COP (60 - 105 USD). Air conditioning, wifi, and small pool.
- Luxury: Boutique hotels in the Historic Center or resorts in the North Zone: 700,000 - 1,500,000 COP (165 - 350 USD). Sea-view terraces, spa, and personalized service.
Food (per day)
- Budget: Breakfast of arepa with egg (8,000 COP), executive lunch at a fonda (15,000 - 25,000 COP), dinner of empanadas and juice (10,000 COP). Total: 33,000 - 43,000 COP (8 - 10 USD).
- Mid-range: Breakfast at a cafe (20,000 COP), lunch at a typical restaurant (30,000 - 50,000 COP), dinner at a moderate place (40,000 - 70,000 COP). Total: 90,000 - 140,000 COP (21 - 33 USD).
- Luxury: Brunch at a boutique hotel (50,000 COP), gourmet lunch (80,000 - 120,000 COP), dinner with seafood and wine (150,000 - 250,000 COP). Total: 280,000 - 420,000 COP (66 - 99 USD).
Transportation
- Taxi from the airport: 25,000 - 40,000 COP (6 - 9 USD) to the Center.
- Local transportation: Urban bus: 2,500 COP (0.6 USD) per ride. Taxi within the city: 10,000 - 20,000 COP (2.5 - 5 USD) for a short trip.
- Excursions: Boat to the Rosario Islands: 80,000 - 150,000 COP (19 - 35 USD) round trip.
Activities and tours
- Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas: Admission: 35,000 COP (8 USD) for foreigners.
- Guided tour of the Historic Center: 40,000 - 80,000 COP (9 - 19 USD) per person.
- Beach club entry: 20,000 - 50,000 COP (5 - 12 USD), sometimes with consumption included.
- Tour to the Mud Volcano: 70,000 - 120,000 COP (16 - 28 USD) from Cartagena.
Tips to Save Money Without Sacrificing the Experience
Cartagena lets itself be loved even on a small budget. Walk: the Center and Getsemaní are meant to be explored on foot, discovering hidden squares and street murals. Eat like a local: look for fruit stalls in Plaza de la Trinidad or coconut candy vendors on the walls. Avoid expensive tours: many churches and museums have low costs or are free on Sundays. For the beach, go to Bocagrande instead of the private ones in the North Zone —the sand is the same, the sea too—. And above all, haggle in the craft markets: the starting price is always high, but a smile and some patience can cut it in half.
3-Day Itinerary Example with Cost Breakdown (for mid-range traveler)
Day 1: Arrival and exploration of the Historic Center. Airport taxi (30,000 COP), mid-range accommodation (350,000 COP), typical lunch (40,000 COP), Castle admission (35,000 COP), moderate dinner (60,000 COP). Total day: 515,000 COP (121 USD).
Day 2: Getsemaní and Rosario Islands. Breakfast at a cafe (20,000 COP), boat to islands (100,000 COP), beach lunch (50,000 COP), free street tour of Getsemaní, street food dinner (30,000 COP). Total day: 200,000 COP (47 USD).
Day 3: Relax and shopping. Breakfast at hotel (included), taxi to Bocagrande (15,000 COP), beach club (30,000 COP), light lunch (35,000 COP), craft shopping (50,000 COP), farewell dinner (80,000 COP). Total day: 210,000 COP (49 USD).
Estimated total 3 days (without flight): 925,000 COP (217 USD) per person, in mid-range category.
Conclusion and Recommendations by Traveler Type
Cartagena is not expensive if you know how to get around. For the budget traveler, with 300,000 COP (70 USD) per day it's possible, sleeping in hostels and eating at stalls. The mid-range traveler, who seeks comfort without luxuries, can plan with 400,000 - 600,000 COP (94 - 141 USD) daily. And for the luxury traveler, the sky's the limit, but a budget of 1,000,000 COP (235 USD) per day ensures premium experiences.
The city adapts, like the sea to the wall. What's important is to come with open eyes and a bit of flexibility. Because in the end, the true cost of a trip to Cartagena isn't measured only in pesos, but in the sunsets you steal from the wall, the stories you hear in a square, and the flavor of the first ceviche you try here. Calculate your personalized budget using our guide as a reference, and let the city surprise you.
