Should you visit Bogota or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or Mendoza, 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
Which place is cheaper, Mendoza 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 $61, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $56. 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Mendoza? 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
Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Winery Trapiche + Laur + Lunch in Tempus Alba. Private transfer:
$230
-
Winery Salentein + Gourmet Lunch in Ruda.Transfer included:
$260
-
Visita Bodega Huarpe + Almuerzo Bodega Lagarde. Transfer privado:
$220
-
Visit to Winery and Argentine Asado in Terrace. Transfer included:
$170
-
Visit to 2 Wineries and Lunch Top. Private transfer.:
$190
-
Transfer Bodegas Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu:
$130
-
Tasting in Enemy; Lunch at Tempus Alba + Private Transfer:
$245
-
Tasting The Enemy + Lunch Santa Julia. Private transfer:
$260
-
Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel:
$23
-
Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day:
$200
-
Private Transfer in Mendoza:
$25
-
Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport (MDZ):
$17
Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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 $23
Mendoza $5.85
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Argentine BBQ on Terrace with Views. Dinner, Sunset.:
$80
-
Mendoza Cooking Experience with Unlimited Wine & Cocktails:
$95
-
Argentine Hands-On Cooking & Wine Experience in Mendoza:
$95
-
Bar Safari 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 Night with Full Dinner:
$167
-
Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner:
$180
-
Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza:
$185
-
Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel:
$190
-
Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner:
$199
-
City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant:
$200
-
Winery Los Toneles + Dinner in Saffron Restó. Private transportation:
$250
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley:
$102
-
2 Winery Tour in Valle de Uco with Lunch Included:
$185
-
Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared :
$114
-
Aconcagua Private Full Day Experience :
$179
-
Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza:
$220
-
Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking:
$188
-
Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!:
$39
-
Adventure and Trekking Day in Vallecitos Cordon del Plata:
$150
-
Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience :
$190
-
Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza:
$129
-
Andes High Mountain full day Tour:
$84
-
Andes Hiking Experience Full Day:
$195
Alcohol
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
-
Classic Wine Tasting:
$44
-
Premium Wine Tasting:
$66
-
Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings:
$80
-
Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting:
$89
-
El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour:
$93
-
In Mendoza Wine Tours, Empanadas, and Olive Oil:
$99
-
Mendoza Private Wine Tour Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting:
$115
-
Classic Wine Tour on a Budget. Lunch. Private Driver:
$120
-
Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza:
$130
-
Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch:
$164
-
Wine tasting region Uco Valley in Mendoza:
$180
-
Bike Tour at Zuccardi: Olive Oil, Wine Tasting & Lunch:
$182
When comparing the travel costs between Bogota and Mendoza, 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 Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bogota or Mendoza?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Mendoza, 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.
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