Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Merida?
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 Merida or Bogota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Bogota, 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: Merida or Bogota?
Merida
Merida is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. It is also the capital of the state of Yucatan as a whole. There is a population of 750,000 and is very rich in diversity and culture.
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 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Merida Prices
Mexico PricesBogota Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerida $99Bogota $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Merida is $99, 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 Merida and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerida $40Bogota $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerida $80Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in Merida and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in Merida 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.
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: Merida Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merida $17Bogota $8.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Merida
Also for Merida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Merida One Way: $44
- Private Transfer From Merida to Uxmal, English Speaking Driver: $156
- Private Airport Transfer from Mérida to Campeche: $292
- One-way Airport Transfers to Merida Hotels: $120
- Merida hotels to Mérida International Airport (MID) - Private Departure Transfer: $25
- Merida Airport (MID) Private Transfer to Merida Centre: $40
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $50
- Mérida International Airport (MID) to Merida hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
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:
- 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 Merida or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and Merida 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 dayMerida $46Bogota $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merida
For Merida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour + Historic Tour Merida - Best Rated : $44
- Merida Food Tour with local Yucatecan Chef : $56
- Merida Walking Food Tour. Authentic & Local Cuisine: $64
- Taste of the Yucatan: Merida Cooking Class and Market Visit: $86
- Merida Shore Excursion- Mexican Cooking Class with Port Transfers: $102
- Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class in Merida with Transfers: $154
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merida $15Bogota $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Merida
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Merida's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Train at the Zoo$0.11
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Uxmal Entrance (for 2)$18
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Mayan Village Entrance (for 2)$5.43
Tours and Activities in Merida
For Merida, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Temazcal experience in the Mayan world: $167
- 3 Hour Tour in The Sotuta de Peón Live Museum: $56
- 4 Cenotes Full Day Tour from Merida: $104
- 4 Cenotes Tour in Homún all inclusive from Merida: $68
- 4x1 Tour Chichen Itza Magic Towns Valladolid & Izamal from Merida: $108
- 6-hour Guided Tour to Uxmal and Kabah Express: $89
- Adventure 4 cenotes with Izamal: $119
- Ake Ruins & Homun Cenotes Day Tour from Merida: $90
- Ancestral Mayan Private Culinary Experience in Merida: $128
- Boat tour through the mangroves of Celestún and Playa from Merida: $75
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tour from Merida: $165
- Celestun Nature Reserve Flamingo Tour-Boat to Flamingo Paradise from Merida: $230
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:
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerida $14Bogota $13
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 Merida and Bogota, we can see that Merida is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Merida 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 Merida would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Merida 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 Merida Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Merida or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Merida. When comparing the sizes of Merida 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.
When is the best time to visit Merida or Bogota?
Merida 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 Merida or Bogota in the Summer?
Both Bogota and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Merida because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Merida is a little warmer than Bogota. Typically, the summer temperatures in Merida in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In July, Merida usually receives more rain than Bogota. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMerida 21°C (70°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bogota in the Autumn?
Both Bogota and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
In October, Merida is generally a little warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 21°C (70°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Bogota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Bogota. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMerida 21°C (70°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bogota in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Bogota. Many travelers come to Merida for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Merida is a little warmer than Bogota in the winter. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Bogota. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMerida 20°C (68°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Merida or Bogota in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Bogota. Many visitors come to Merida in the spring for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
In the spring, Merida is a little warmer than Bogota. Typically, the spring temperatures in Merida in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Bogota averages at about 15°C (59°F).
Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Bogota. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMerida 21°C (70°F)Bogota 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Bogota and Merida
| Merida | Bogota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 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.