Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen or Bogota?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Bogota $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $53. 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 Playa del Carmen and Bogota in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Bogota $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Bogota
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Bogota $8.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Transfers in Lincoln StretchLimo from Puerto Aventuras-Cun Airport.: $194
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $173
- Private Transfer: Akumal to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $109
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
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:
- Andres Carne de Res Chia • Premium Private Transfer: $39
- 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 Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota by MiniSuv: $66
- Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
- Bogotá to or from Barichara or San Gil Private Transfer: $167
- Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
- Bogotá to or from Villavieja or Tatacoa Desert Private Transfer: $167
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
- Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: El Dorado Airport (One Way): $13
- Private Salt Cathedral and Nemocón Salt Mines + In & out Transfer + (8 hours): $242
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Bogota?
Prices for flights to both Bogota and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Bogota $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
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 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
- Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $90
- Dinner and party at Andres Carne de Res DC: $100
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Bogota $13
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $114
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $139
- ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour from Playa del Carmen: $80
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $133
- ATV Shared, Cavern & Ziplines -Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $158
- ATV Xtreme & Snorkel Experience: $138
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:
- Party Tour: 6 nightclubs, Disco-Truck, After Party, 2 openbars: $2.95
- Colonial Bogotá: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of La Candelaria: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part I : $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
- Bike Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $12
- Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
- Graffiti Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $13
- Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
- Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
- Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
- Walking Tour through Candelaria: $14
- Full Day Tour to the Colonial Town of Villa de Leyva: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Bogota $14
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
- Saturday Bar Crawl in La Candelaria, Bogotá: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Bogota, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America and Bogota is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bogota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bogota 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen than you might in Bogota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Bogota?
Bogota has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bogota experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Bogota. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.
In the summer, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Bogota. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota in the Autumn?
Both Bogota and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Bogota. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bogota. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bogota. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota in the Winter?
Both Bogota and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.
Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Bogota in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Bogota. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Bogota 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Bogota in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Bogota. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Bogota averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Bogota. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Bogota 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Bogota and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Bogota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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.