A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bogota vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bogota or San Pedro de Atacama?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bogota or San Pedro de Atacama, 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 San Pedro de Atacama?

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.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

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 Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Bogota?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bogota is $53, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $26
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $52
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Bogota and San Pedro de Atacama

Looking for a hotel in Bogota or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama


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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.77
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.56
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.39
  • 2 Bus Passes
    $0.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota

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

  • Transfer in private SUV from Bogota City - Bogota Airport (BOG): $18
  • Transfer from El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogota (one way): $15
  • Salt Cathedral Zipaquira • Premium Private Transfer: $39
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Bogota City Airport (BOG) - Bogota City: $40
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Bogota Airport (BOG)-Bogota City: $36
  • Private Visit to Zipaquira's Town & Salt Cathedral + In&Out Transfer + (6 hours): $176
  • Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33
  • Private Transfer El Dorado Airport to Hotels in Bogotá: $20
  • Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
  • Private Bogota Airport drop-off Transfer: $59
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
  • Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers to San Pedro de Acatama (shared service): $30
  • Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
  • Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $33
  • Puritama Thermal Transfer: $46
  • Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
  • Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
  • 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Transfer: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or San Pedro de Atacama?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $14
    San Pedro de Atacama $14
Typical Food Prices in Bogota

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


  • Breakfast
    $1.57
  • Hot Dog
    $0.92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota

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

  • Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
  • Bogotá Bites: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $45
  • Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $49
  • Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $55
  • Bogota Food Tour • Private Car • Fruits Cacao Lunch Coffee Beer: $59
  • Bogotá Food Tour - La Candelaria: $61
  • Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
  • Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100

Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $13
    San Pedro de Atacama $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota

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


  • Beer
    $1.31

Tours and Activities in Bogota

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

  • Bogotá Architecture Private Tour (6 Hrs.): $149
  • 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
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $152
  • 2 Day Tour in Barichara: $220
  • 3 Day Desert of the Tatacoa, an unforgettable experience closer to the stars: $299
  • 3 Hour Road Bike Shared Tour in Bogota: $80
  • 3 days- private tour Chingaza-Guatavita Savannah Expedition: $60
  • 3-4 Hours Tour in flight connection: $180
  • 4 Hour Bogota Bike Tour: $36
  • 4-Hours E-Bike Tour in Bogotá City, Colombia: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $189
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $210
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $240
  • 4 Tours in the Atacama Desert: $230
  • 4 Tours to Discover Atacama (3 days): $219
  • 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $44
  • ASTRONOMIC TOUR: $54
  • Archaeological Experience in Atacama Tulor and Quitor: $146

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $14
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.94

Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:

  • Thursday Bar Crawl in Bogotá: $25
  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá : $25

Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


When comparing the travel costs between Bogota and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bogota or San Pedro de Atacama?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 3550 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.