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

Should you visit Bogota or Salta?

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

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

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.

Salta

Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.

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


Which place is cheaper, Salta or Bogota?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $49, while the average daily cost in Salta is $9.11. 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 Salta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $25
    Salta $3.28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $50
    Salta $6.56
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Salta

Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Salta? 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 Salta


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 Salta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.21
    Salta $3.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.07
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.37
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Transfer-shared vehicle from El Dorado Airport - Calle 26, Bogota: $8.70
  • Transfer in private SUV from Bogota City - Bogota Airport (BOG): $18
  • Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogota (one way): $15
  • Transfer Aeropuerto El Dorado - Hotel or Accomodation Private : $28
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira • Premium Private Transfer: $39
  • Private Visit to Zipaquira's Town & Salt Cathedral + In&Out Transfer + (6 hours): $176
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Bogota: $12
  • Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
  • Private Transfer El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogotá: $20
  • Private One Way Transfer: Bogota Airport (BOG) from/to Bogota: $30
  • Private Bogota airport pick up transfer service one way: $28
  • Private Bogota airport pick up transfer service: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salta

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

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

  • Yungas : full day with gauchos - transfer inc. from Salta: $240
  • Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $235
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
  • Round Trip Shared Transfer Salta Airport/Downtown Hotel: $9.00
  • Full Day Tour Cafayate + Humahuaca + Transfer in/out: $160
  • From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
  • From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
  • 3-Day:Cafayate, Cachi, Salinas Grandes Including Transfer In/Out : $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Salta?

Prices for flights to both Salta 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
    Salta $3.09
Typical Food Prices in Bogota

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


  • Breakfast
    $1.47
  • Hot Dog
    $0.86

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 12+ 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
  • Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
  • Flavors of Colombia: Chapinero Street Food Tour: $70
  • Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $133

Typical Food Prices in Salta

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


  • Emplanadas
    $0.01
  • Ice Cream
    $0.01
  • Lunch
    $0.64
  • Coffee
    $0.13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $12
    Salta $3.22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

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


  • Beer
    $1.23

Tours and Activities in Bogota

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

  • Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch: $80
  • Express Salt Cathedral Tour• Guided Tour & Tickets • 5h: $219
  • La Candelaria and Monserrate Walking Half Day Tour: $234
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira - Group tour and daily departure: $80
  • Zipaquira Salt Cathedral group tour Daily Departures: $80
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $155
  • 3 Day Desert of the Tatacoa, an unforgettable experience closer to the stars: $299
  • 3 Hour Road Bike Shared Tour in Bogota: $120
  • 3 days- private tour Chingaza-Guatavita Savannah Expedition: $60
  • 4 Hours Private Tour to Monserrate from Bogotá: $69
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Bogotá with Guide and Transportation: $77
  • 4-hour Paragliding Adventure from Bogota: $206

Typical Entertainment Prices in Salta

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


  • Gondola Ride
    $0.02
  • Pool
    $0.05
  • Wine and Cheese night
    $3.93

Tours and Activities in Salta

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

  • From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $22
  • Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $40
  • 2 Day Tour from Salta to Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $84
  • 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
  • 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $120
  • 4 Day Tour to Cafayat Cachi Salinas and Humahuaca: $119
  • 4-Day Tour of Salta Cafayate and Humahuaca: $2,028
  • Best of Guided City Tour: $36
  • Bungee Jumping Adrenaline Experience on Cabra Corral Dam: $120
  • Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $76
  • City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $33
  • Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $286

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $13
    Salta $1.29

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Pub Crawl Colombian Version - Centro Historico Bogotá: $39
  • Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $42
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103

Typical Alcohol Prices in Salta

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Salta are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.01
  • Alcohol
    $0.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $25
  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $30
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $33
  • Full-Day Private Calchaquí Valley & Cafayate Wine Tour from Salta: $204


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bogota and Salta, we can see that Bogota is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Salta.

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


Which is Bigger, Bogota or Salta?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Salta. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Salta, 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.