Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Medellin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Medellin or Bogota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Medellin or Bogota? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Medellin or Bogota?
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMedellin $21Bogota $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Medellin is $21, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $49. 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 Medellin and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMedellin $4.44Bogota $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMedellin $8.88Bogota $50
Compare Hotels in Medellin and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in Medellin or Bogota? 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: Medellin Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Medellin $3.87Bogota $8.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Transfer Private Car from Medellin city - Medellin Airport (MDE): $23
- Transfer Private Car from Medellin Airport (MDE) - Medellin city: $23
- Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
- Transfer JMC airport - Medellin or Medellin - JMC airport - Private!!: $39
- Private transfer service from or to Medellín Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $64
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Private Transfer José María Cordova Airport in Medellín: $38
- Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
- Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $21
- Private Medellin Airport Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $50
- Private Medellín Hotel to Airport transfer service: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$7.07
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Taxi Ride$0.37
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2 Bus Passes$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bogota
Also for Bogota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Business Car: $119
- Arrival Private Transfer Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City in a Luxury Van: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minibus: $124
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minivan: $89
- Bogotá to or from Barichara or San Gil Private Transfer: $167
- Bogotá to or from Villavieja or Tatacoa Desert Private Transfer: $167
- Bogota Airport (BOG) to Downtown Round-Trip Private Transfer: $49
- Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Business Car: $119
- Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Luxury Van: $134
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
- Premium Private Transfer from Bogota Hotels to El Dorado Airport: $17
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Medellin or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and Medellin 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
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Food Meals for one dayMedellin $8.99Bogota $13
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$1.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $12
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $24
- Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $65
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
- Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $71
- Private Street Food Tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $85
- Medellín Food Tour: $94
- Sabaneta and Envigado Best Local Food Tour from Medellin: $99
- Medellin tour with Fernando Botero´s, street art and food tour: $145
- Medellin City Tour Including The History of Tango and Lunch or Dinner: $145
- Best Food Tour and Horseback Adventure in Medellin: $163
- Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.47
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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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Medellin $12Bogota $12
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Medellin City Private Tour: $83
- Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars: $83
- 1 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in Medellin : $140
- 2 Days Medellin autentic Coffee Farm Experience : $225
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27
- 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- ATV Quad Tour from Medellin with Transportation : $132
- ATV Tour 3 Mountains Medellin: $170
- ATV Tours from Medellin : $133
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bogota
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bogota's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- Theatron Party-Tour, 19 Clubs, Map, cocktail, bottle, After-party: $5.00
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Bike Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $12
- Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
- Tour Quebrada delights Bogotá: $15
- Full Day Tour to the Colonial Town of Villa de Leyva: $15
- Cycling tour in Simon Bolivar Park and Virgilio Barco Library: $17
- Alternative tour of Bogotá: gastronomic and cultural: $19
- Bike Tour in Bogota Historical Sites and Fruit Market: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMedellin $6.74Bogota $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl Nightlife in Medellin: $41
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
- Chill Music, Food, Brewery & Sight seeing Tour : $75
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $125
- All-Inclusive Comuna 13 Nightlife Bar Crawl with Locals: $130
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Medellin and Bogota, we can see that Bogota is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Medellin Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Medellin or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Medellin. When comparing the sizes of Medellin and Bogota, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.