Comparison · Bogotá vs Cartagena · Colombia
Bogotá vs Cartagena
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Bogotá for Museo del Oro, Monserrate and lower day-to-day costs; choose Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, beaches and a milder winter. Bogotá is generally less expensive, and the two are about 650 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 650 km
- Less expensive
- Bogotá
- Best time for Bogotá
- July–August and December–March
- Best time for Cartagena
- February–April
Side by side
| Bogotá | Cartagena | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Colombia | Colombia |
| Known for | Museo del Oro, Monserrate and La Candelaria | Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe and Colourful balconies |
| Best time to visit | July–August and December–March | February–April |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$170 | $110–$200 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | January, 20°C (68°F) | April, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | May, 19°C (66°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Playa Blanca, Barú |
| Airports | BOG | CTG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bogotá for…
Museo del Oro, Monserrate and lower day-to-day costs. Colombia's capital sits on a high plateau at about 2,600 metres, backed by the forested Eastern Hills and the white church on Monserrate. The colonial La Candelaria district holds the Museo del Oro, the Museo Botero, Plaza de Bolívar and the city's street…
Choose Cartagena for…
Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, beaches and a milder winter. 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
| # | Bogotá | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Museo del Oro | The walled city |
| 2 | Monserrate | City walls and bastions |
| 3 | Plaza de Bolívar | Castillo San Felipe de Barajas |
| 4 | Museo Botero | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad |
| 5 | La Candelaria street art | Plaza Santo Domingo |
Food compared
| Bogotá | Cartagena |
|---|---|
| Ajiaco santafereño | Arepa de huevo |
| Chocolate santafereño | Carimañola |
| Changua | Fried fish with coconut rice |
| Tamal | Cazuela de mariscos |
Which is cheaper?
Bogotá is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $90–$170 per person there, against $110–$200 in Cartagena (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Bogotá on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bogotá and Cartagena are about 650 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Bogotá and 5 in Cartagena.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bogotá or Cartagena cheaper?
Bogotá is usually less expensive: about $90–$170 a day mid-range against $110–$200 (estimates).
+Is Bogotá or Cartagena better for a first trip?
Pick Bogotá for Museo del Oro, Monserrate and lower day-to-day costs, or Cartagena for Walled colonial city, Castillo San Felipe, beaches and a milder winter.
+How far is Bogotá from Cartagena?
About 650 km in a straight line.