Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Bogota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bogota or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or Arequipa, 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 Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Bogota Prices
Colombia PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBogota $61Arequipa $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $61, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBogota $26Arequipa $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBogota $52Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Arequipa? 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 Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bogota $8.57Arequipa $6.36
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:
- Bogota Airport (BOG) to Bogota - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $36
- Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Bogota to or from Villavicencio Private Transfer: $94
- Downtown Hotels to Bogota Airport BOG Departure Private Transfer: $23
- El Dorado Airport Transfer: Direct to Your Hotel or Accommodation: $30
- Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $179
- Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Bogotá Hotels : $36
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport: $13
- Private Bogota Airport - Hotel Transfer: Safe, Fast, and Reliable: $21
- Private Bogota Airport drop-off Transfer: $59
- Private Hotel to Airport Transfer service in Bogota: $17
- Private One Way Transfer: Bogota Airport (BOG) from/to Bogota: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.43
-
Bus Ride$0.46
-
Taxi Ride$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $172
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
- Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayBogota $23Arequipa $25
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
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.43
-
Lunch$3.01
-
Ice Cream$1.15
-
Fruit$0.86
-
Ice Cream$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bogota $13Arequipa $19
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:
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.87
-
Salsa Class$2.87
-
Movie Ticket$3.13
-
Hot Springs$2.87
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colca Full Day Tour: $51
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $110
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $90
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 2-Day tour Colca Canyon ending in Puno: $95
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBogota $13Arequipa $17
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.58
When comparing the travel costs between Bogota and Arequipa, we can see that Bogota is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bogota Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bogota or Arequipa?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Arequipa, 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.
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.