Comparison · Aruba vs Cartagena · Aruba / Colombia
Aruba vs Cartagena
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Aruba for Eagle Beach and Palm Beach; choose Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Cartagena is generally less expensive, and the two are about 646 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 646 km
- Less expensive
- Cartagena
- Best time for Aruba
- January–May
- Best time for Cartagena
- February–April
Side by side
| Aruba | Cartagena | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Aruba | Colombia |
| Known for | Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arikok National Park | Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and Colourful balconies |
| Best time to visit | January–May | February–April |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$400 | $110–$200 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 33°C (91°F) | April, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 5 |
| Beaches | Eagle Beach | Playa Blanca, Barú |
| Airports | AUA | CTG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Aruba for…
Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Aruba is a small, dry island about 30 km long, lying some 25 km off the coast of Venezuela. Almost all hotels line the calm west and southwest coast, from the low-rise resorts of Eagle Beach to the high-rise strip at Palm Beach, a short drive north of the…
Choose Cartagena for…
Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Cartagena de Indias was one of Spain's main ports in the Americas, and its old town is still enclosed by about 11 km of stone walls. Inside, the El Centro and San Diego quarters are a grid of bougainvillea-draped balconies, churches and plazas, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Aruba | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Beach | The walled city |
| 2 | Palm Beach | City walls and bastions |
| 3 | Arikok National Park | Castillo San Felipe de Barajas |
| 4 | Conchi natural pool | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad |
| 5 | Fontein and Quadirikiri caves | Plaza Santo Domingo |
Food compared
| Aruba | Cartagena |
|---|---|
| Keshi yena | Arepa de huevo |
| Pastechi | Carimañola |
| Pan bati | Fried fish with coconut rice |
| Fried fish and funchi | Cazuela de mariscos |
Which is cheaper?
Cartagena is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$200 per person there, against $250–$400 in Aruba (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cartagena on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Aruba and Cartagena are about 646 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Aruba and 5 in Cartagena.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Aruba or Cartagena cheaper?
Cartagena is usually less expensive: about $110–$200 a day mid-range against $250–$400 (estimates).
+Is Aruba or Cartagena better for a first trip?
Pick Aruba for Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, or Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is Aruba from Cartagena?
About 646 km in a straight line.