A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cancun vs. Bogota for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cancun or Bogota?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Bogota can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cancun or Bogota?

Cancun

In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Cancun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $153, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $61. 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 Cancun and Bogota in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cancun $89
    Bogota $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cancun $178
    Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in Cancun and Bogota

Looking for a hotel in Cancun or Bogota? 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.

Hotels in Cancun


Hotels in Bogota


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: Cancun Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cancun $16
    Bogota $8.57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:


  • Taxi Around Town
    $1.52
  • Airport Shuttle (for 2)
    $13
  • Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
    $15
  • Local Bus (for 2)
    $1.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun

Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Xcaret 1 Day Tour from Cancun with Hotel Transfer: $228
  • Tulum One Way Or Roundtrip Private Transfer: $132
  • Transfers From Hotel to Hotel: $120
  • Transfer in Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan: $96
  • Transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen: $123
  • Transfer Redondo Private Airport Cancun to Playa del Carmen: $145
  • Transfer Airport-Hotel ( One Way ) Apto Cancun to Playa del Carmen: $87
  • Transfer Airport To Excellence Finest Atelier Playa Mujeres: $75
  • Super Combo ATV in Cancun with Zipline, Snorkel, Cenote, transfer: $115
  • Shared transfer R/T VAN Apto-Muelle Ferry Isla Mujeres-Apto C/ Tickets Ferry: $40
  • Shared Transfer from Cancun Airport : $6.00
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer To/From Cancun International Airport: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.39
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.38
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to and from El Dorado airport in Bogota: $14
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira: Private Transfer Service from Bogota: $24
  • Salt Cathedral & Lake Guatavita: Private Transfer from Bogota: $34
  • Private Visit to Zipaquira's Town & Salt Cathedral + In&Out Transfer + (6 hours): $176
  • Private Transfer to Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $15
  • Private Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Bogota Hotels: $26
  • Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $22
  • Private Transfer from Bogota Airport (BOG): $11
  • Private Transfer from Aeropurto to Bogota Hotels: $25
  • Private Transfer DE Bogota Airport: $30
  • Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242

Is it cheaper to fly into Cancun or Bogota?

Prices for flights to both Bogota and Cancun 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cancun $45
    Bogota $23
Typical Food Prices in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun

For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cancun Pirate Ship Adventure : Dinner & Show at Sea 2 for 1 Deal: $50
  • Pirate Show in Cancun! Dinner & drinks: $62
  • Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
  • Pirate Shop & Dinner at Cancun! Drinks, Adventure and Fun: $65
  • Cancun Walking Food Tour: Local Food, Markets, and Street Art.: $77
  • Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Mexican Cooking Class with fresh Local Market ingredients selection and transpor: $79
  • Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
  • Cancun Private Mural Art and Food Tour: $81
  • Hands-On Cooking Class in Drink & Cook Authentic Dishes: $85
  • Pirate’s Night Out: Dinner and Entertainment in the Caribbean: $89
  • Unforgettable Pirate Dinner Adventure in the Mexican Caribbean: $89

Typical Food Prices in Bogota

For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $1.54
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cancun $32
    Bogota $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Seasick Pills
    $0.54
  • Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
    $92

Tours and Activities in Cancun

For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option: $260
  • 3 in 1 Tour to Coba Cenote and Maya Village: $149
  • Atv tour from Cancun with ziplines and cenote swim experience: $30
  • Cancun Private Street Art Tour: $65
  • Clear Boat Tour in Cancun 1.5 hours great for pictures: $19
  • Coco Bongo Music And Show Ticket: $90
  • Holbox plus Island Magic by boat Tour from Cancun : $144
  • Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres Tour from Cancun: $152
  • Isla Mujeres Catamaran Platinum Tour with Open Bar: $115
  • LDS Tour to Chichen Itza + Cenote : $215
  • Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos Day Tour from Cancun: $105
  • Private Tour to Tulum Ruins and Cenotes : $257

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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:

  • Bogota Private Tour with Monserrate, Museums, Food & Tasting Cafe: $43
  • Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch: $69
  • Lake Guatavitá Private Day Tour: $243
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira - Group tour and daily departure: $79
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $168
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour and Musical Picnic in the Heart of Ibague: $23
  • 3h 30 -Hour StopOver—Walking Tour: Bogota Historical Center: $54
  • 4-hour Comprehensive Private Emerald Tour in Bogota: $59
  • 5 hour Bogotá City & Monserrate Hill Tour: $138
  • All-inclusive Monserrate experience : $69
  • Armed Conflict and Violence Tour in Bogotá, Colombia: $12
  • Basic City Tour: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cancun $12
    Bogota $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun

Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Social Pub Crawl in Cancun: $35
  • Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $99

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and Bogota, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cancun is in North America and Bogota is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun 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 Cancun Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cancun or Bogota?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Cancun and Bogota, 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.