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

Should you visit Bogota or Tilcara?

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

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

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.

Tilcara

Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Tilcara 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 Tilcara is $8.25. 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 Tilcara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bogota $26
    Tilcara $3.25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bogota $52
    Tilcara $6.50
Compare Hotels in Bogota and Tilcara

Looking for a hotel in Bogota or Tilcara? 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 Tilcara


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 Tilcara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bogota $8.77
    Tilcara $2.19
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:

  • Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
  • Private Visit to Zipaquira's Town & Salt Cathedral + In&Out Transfer + (6 hours): $176
  • Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City in a Luxury Van: $134
  • Departure Private Transfer from Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Minibus: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minibus: $124
  • Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Business Car: $118
  • Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
  • Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
  • Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Bogota Airport (BOG) to Downtown Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Private Transfer from Bogotá-El Dorado (BOG) Airport to Bogotá City: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tilcara

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

Is it cheaper to fly into Bogota or Tilcara?

Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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
    Tilcara $3.41
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:

  • Bogota Local Food Tour in the City Center: $13
  • Peruvian cooking workshop: $26
  • Street Food Tour in Bogota with 10+ Tastings: $45
  • 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
  • Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
  • Private Street Food Tour in Candelaria Bogota: $130
  • Gastronomy & Cooking Class Private Tour (6 Hrs.): $229

Typical Food Prices in Tilcara

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:


  • Sandwich
    $0.01
  • Burger
    $0.01
  • Fruit
    $0.01
  • Sandwich
    $0.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara

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

  • Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bogota $13
    Tilcara $1.95
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:

  • 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
  • Zipaquira Salt Cathedral group tour Daily Departures: $80
  • *Private tour* to Guatavita sacred lagoon + Nemocon salt mine: $152
  • 2 Day Tour in Barichara: $220
  • 3 days- private tour Chingaza-Guatavita Savannah Expedition: $60
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour and Musical Picnic in the Heart of Ibague: $23
  • 3h 30 -Hour StopOver—Walking Tour: Bogota Historical Center: $54
  • 4 Hours Private Tour to Monserrate from Bogotá: $69
  • 4-Hours E-Bike Tour in Bogotá City, Colombia: $48
  • 5-hour Bogota Street Art Tour with transportation: $184

Tours and Activities in Tilcara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.

  • Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $35
  • Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $162
  • Private Full Day Tour to Salinas de Grandes and Barrancas: $130
  • Purmamarca Night Experience: $30
  • Serranías del Hornocal + Citytour Humahuaca: $30
  • 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
  • Half day mountain bike tour with lunch: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bogota $14
    Tilcara $1.07

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
  • Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $40
  • Pub Crawl in Bogota - Ancient Brews : $103


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bogota or Tilcara?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 1260 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Bogota and Tilcara, 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.