Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Bogota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bogota or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Bogota or Santiago?
Bogota
Sprawling across a high altitude in the Columbian Andes region, Bogota is the capital city of Columbia. It is a mix of the old and new with century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skyscrapers, museums representing the history, art, and culture of the region, as well as a mix of distinct neighborhoods from quaint and historic to trendy and contemporary.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Bogota Prices
Colombia PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBogota $61Santiago $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $61, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bogota and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBogota $26Santiago $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBogota $52Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Santiago? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bogota Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bogota $8.57Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.39
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Taxi Ride$0.38
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2 Bus Passes$0.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
- Private Transfer to Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport: $13
- Transfer to and from El Dorado airport in Bogota: $14
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $15
- Private Hotel to Airport Transfer service in Bogota: $17
- Private Bogota Airport - Hotel Transfer: Safe, Fast, and Reliable: $21
- Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $22
- Downtown Hotels to Bogota Airport BOG Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Salt Cathedral Zipaquira: Private Transfer Service from Bogota: $24
- Private Transfer from Aeropurto to Bogota Hotels: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Transfer to Valparaiso Cruise Terminal with Winery & Town Tour: $109
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49
- Transfer to San Antonio port with Valparaiso & Casablanca tour: $87
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago-Viña del Mar / Viña del Mar-Santiago: $220
- Transfer Santiago-Valparaiso / Valparaiso-Santiago: $220
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $290
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
- Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Bogota change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBogota $23Santiago $23
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.54
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Hot Dog$0.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
- Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $60
- Flavors of Colombia: Chapinero Street Food Tour: $73
- Food Tour in Historic Downtown with a Food Scholar and Tastings: $75
- Colombian Cooking Class in Bogota with a Local Chef: $102
- Tropical Abundance: Interactive Cooking Class in Bogota: $176
- Bogotá Food Tour. Exotic Fruits and local Cuisine.: $180
- Gastronomic Tour and Cooking Workshop: $213
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.88
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bogota $13Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Beer$1.28
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Theatron Party-Tour, 20 Clubs, Map, cocktail, bottle, After-party: $5.00
- Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis Photo Tour in Bogota: $5.80
- Bogotá: La Macarena to Parque Nacional Walking Audio Tour: $5.99
- Traditional Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Paranormal Candelaria: $10
- Armed Conflict and Violence Tour in Bogotá, Colombia: $12
- Shared Tour Colombian Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Bogota Shared Gastronomy Tour in the Historic Center: $13
- Shared Walking Tour of Bogotá's Historic Center Candelaria: $14
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- Private Sightseeing City Tour in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $240
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $55
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & Santuario del Río Spa: $132
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBogota $13Santiago $8.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bogota and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bogota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bogota and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Bogota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bogota Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bogota or Santiago?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Santiago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Bogota or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bogota experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bogota or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bogota as well as Santiago. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Bogota is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bogota in July average around 14°C (57°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
Bogota usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Bogota gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBogota 14°C (57°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bogota or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Bogota are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
In October, Bogota is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Bogota average around 14°C (57°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Bogota. In October, Bogota usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Bogota gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBogota 14°C (57°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bogota or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Bogota during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bogota is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
Bogota usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Bogota gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBogota 14°C (57°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bogota or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bogota and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
In the spring, Bogota is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bogota in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
In April, Bogota usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Bogota gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBogota 15°C (59°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bogota
| Bogota | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.