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

Should you visit Bogota or Cusco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or Cusco, 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 Cusco?

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.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bogota?

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 Bogota is $56, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $59. 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 Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $24
    Cusco $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $48
    Cusco $44
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Cusco? 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 Bogota


Hotels in Cusco


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 Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $7.90
    Cusco $9.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $6.81
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.35
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $12
  • Bogota Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
  • Premium Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $13
  • Private Hotel to Airport Transfer service in Bogota: $17
  • Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogotá: $20
  • Private Bogota airport pick up transfer service: $20
  • El Dorado Airport Transfer: Direct to Your Hotel or Accommodation: $25
  • Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
  • Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota Downtown RoundTrip Private Transfer: $49
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Cusco HTL-APT (CUZ): $18
  • Transfer to Ollantaytambo from Cusco: $49
  • Transfer from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotels: $31
  • Transfer Cusco to Poroy: $20
  • Transfer Cusco to Ollantaytambo: $34
  • Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco Round Trip: $22
  • Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco (Round trip): $20
  • Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or vice versa.: $20
  • Temple of the Moon Horseback Riding Tour with Transfer: $75
  • Taxi Transfer ROUNDTRIPS MINIVAN-SACRED VALLEY-CUSCO APTO: $60
  • Super Sacred Valley with Transfer to Ollantaytambo: $35
  • Scenic Journey from Cusco to Puno by Bus Including Hotel Transfers: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 day
    Bogota $21
    Cusco $22
Typical Food Prices in Bogota

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


  • Breakfast
    $1.42
  • Hot Dog
    $0.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota

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

  • Bogota Local Food Tour in the City Center: $13
  • Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
  • Bogota Food Tour, Private Car, Fruits Arepa Cacao Lunch Cafe Beer: $54
  • PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
  • Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $60
  • Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $132

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.13
  • Mango
    $0.53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

  • Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
  • Short Peruvian Cooking Class - by Pete: $30
  • Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
  • Pachapapa Restaurant Lunch or Dinner: $41
  • Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $49
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in Cuzco: $53
  • CUSCO COOKING CLASS DINNER - Short & Immersive Cooking Class: $53
  • Fully hands-on High End Peruvian Cooking Class & San Pedro Market Guided Visit: $55
  • Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $56
  • Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
  • Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $12
    Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

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


  • Beer
    $1.18

Tours and Activities in Bogota

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

  • Party Tour: 6 nightclubs, Disco-Truck, After Party, 1h openbar.: $5.00
  • Theatron Party-Tour, 19 Clubs, Map, cocktail, bottle, After-party: $5.00
  • Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
  • Bogotá: La Macarena to Parque Nacional Walking Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Traditional Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
  • Shared Walking Tour in Bogotá, Historic Center and Graffiti Tour: $11
  • Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
  • Ghost Tour Bogotá/ Tour de fantasmas bogotá : $13
  • Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
  • Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
  • Bogota Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.66

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

  • 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $45
  • Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Maras and Moray: $106
  • Moray saltmines ATV (Cuatrimotos) Tour: $70
  • Mountain View Picnic & Salt Mines Tour with Private Service: $180
  • Official Machupicchu Ticket: $99
  • Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
  • Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
  • Rainbow Mountain 1 day Tour : $42
  • Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain : $89
  • Tour a la montaña de 7 colores vinicunca 1 dia: $32
  • Tour de 1 dià a la montaña de colores : $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $12
    Cusco $9.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $25
  • Dave’s Bogota Pub Crawl: $25
  • Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $42
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

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

  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
  • Pisco and wine tour in the Majes Valley: $50


When comparing the travel costs between Bogota and Cusco, we can see that Cusco 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 Cusco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bogota or Cusco?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Cusco, 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.