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

Should you visit Bogota or El Chalten?

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

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

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.

El Chalten

El Chalten is probably one of the most beautiful areas of Patagonia, especially at the slightest ray of sunshine and one of your cheapest destination while you are travelling in Patagonia. Indeed, you will spend your days hiking and there are no park fees. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, and outdoor stores but most of them will not accept credit cards so before heading out, get cash in El Calafate or your previous stop. For the beginners, it will be long hikes in a magical setting and for the experts perhaps a week long expedition to the greatest glaciers of the world. To discover the way people live in the pampa, you may also decide to stay at an Estancia. In the stunning Estancia Santa Thelma, about 300km away from El Chalten, you will be able to explore the surroundings by horse, live a unique experience in the middle of the nature and its vast plains occupied by thousands of merino sheep and horses and of course eat a typical meal of the region.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Chalten or Bogota?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $52, while the average daily cost in El Chalten is $10. 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 El Chalten in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $26
    El Chalten $4.49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $52
    El Chalten $8.98
Compare Hotels in Bogota and El Chalten

Looking for a hotel in Bogota or El Chalten? 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 El Chalten


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 El Chalten Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.61
    El Chalten $2.40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.42
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
  • Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogota (one way): $14
  • Transfer in Private vehicle from El Dorado Airport -Bogota City: $15
  • Private Hotel to Airport Transfer service in Bogota: $17
  • Premium Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $17
  • Transfer in private SUV from Bogota City - Bogota Airport (BOG): $18
  • Private Bogota airport pick up transfer service: $20
  • Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Bogota Airport (BOG)-Bogota City: $34
  • Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39
  • Private Bogota Airport transfer to your Hotel: $59
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or El Chalten?

Prices for flights to both El Chalten 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 $13
    El Chalten $3.72
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:

  • Bogota Local Food Tour in the City Center: $13
  • Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
  • Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $49
  • PALOQUEMAO MARKET FOOD TOUR. EXOTIC FRUIT. LOCAL SNACKS. /Min 2 pax: $55
  • Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
  • Carimañola Cooking Class in Bogota: $60
  • Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
  • Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $132

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $13
    El Chalten $2.70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

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


  • Beer
    $1.29

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, 2 openbars: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Paranormal Candelaria: $10
  • Graffiti Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $13
  • Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
  • Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
  • Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
  • Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
  • Tour Quebrada delights Bogotá: $15
  • Ghost Tour Bogotá/ Tour de fantasmas bogotá : $15
  • Cycling tour in Simon Bolivar Park and Virgilio Barco Library: $17

Tours and Activities in El Chalten

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

  • 3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza: $55
  • Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $90
  • Rio de las Vueltas Rafting Experience - El Chalten: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $14
    El Chalten $1.24

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $26
  • Saturday Bar Crawl in La Candelaria, Bogotá: $32
  • Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $40
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bogota and El Chalten, we can see that Bogota is more expensive. And not only is El Chalten much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Chalten would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Chalten 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 Bogota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bogota than you might in El Chalten.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bogota Expensive? and Is El Chalten Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Bogota or El Chalten?

El Chalten 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 El Chalten in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bogota as well as El Chalten. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bogota is much colder than El Chalten in the summer. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 14°C (57°F) in July, and El Chalten fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in El Chalten. Bogota usually gets less rain in July than El Chaltenin January. Bogota gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    El Chalten 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bogota or El Chalten in the Autumn?

Both El Chalten 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 the autumn, Bogota is cooler than El Chalten. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bogota in October average around 14°C (57°F), and El Chalten averages at about 21°C (70°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in El Chalten. It's quite rainy in Bogota. In October, Bogota usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin April. Bogota gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    El Chalten 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Bogota or El Chalten in the Winter?

Both El Chalten 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.

In January, Bogota is generally cooler than El Chaltenin July. Daily temperatures in Bogota average around 14°C (57°F), and El Chalten fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Bogota usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as El Chaltenin July. Bogota gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Bogota 14°C (57°F) 
    El Chalten 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Bogota or El Chalten in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bogota and El Chalten. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.

Bogota is cooler than El Chalten in the spring. The daily temperature in Bogota averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and El Chalten fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in October.

El Chalten receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bogota usually receives less rain than El Chaltenin October. Bogota gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while El Chalten receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Bogota 15°C (59°F) 
    El Chalten 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for El Chalten and Bogota

Bogota El Chalten
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)