Santa Martais 14% cheaper — BDI "Fair" (41/10) vs Quito "Fair" (46/10). Dorms avg $12/night vs $14/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇪🇨 Quito
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★14 hostels, avg 8.3 rating
★★★★★19 hostels, avg 9.4 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★Private rooms avg $28/night
★★★★★Private rooms avg $48/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★Coffee $3.00, dorms avg $12
★★★★★Coffee $1.72, dorms avg $14
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★Beer $2.50, 14 hostels
★★★★★Beer $1.02, 19 hostels
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇪🇨 Quito | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta | You Save / day |
|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $20 | $17 cheaper | $3/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $43 | $35 cheaper | $7/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $82 | $72 cheaper | $10/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇪🇨 Quito | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta |
|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $5 | $3.91 22% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $21.25 | $18.15 15% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.50 | $1.02 59% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3 | $1.72 43% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.35 52% less | $0.73 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇪🇨46
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $12/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelColonial House Inn (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$12/night
Total hostels14
🇨🇴41
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $14/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelMagdalena Beach House (9.9)
Annual dorm avg$14/night
Total hostels19
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇪🇨 Quito
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
City to City
Getting Between Quito & Santa Marta
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇪🇨 Quito
🌧 Rainfall: 304mm/month
Best months: Jul, Aug, Sep
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
🌧 Rainfall: 33mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Quito or Santa Marta cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Quito vs Santa Marta?+
Do I need a visa for Quito or Santa Marta?+
When is the best time to visit Quito or Santa Marta?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Quito and Santa Marta?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds