Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
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Playa del Carmen Prices
Mexico PricesBogota Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $97Bogota $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $97, while the average daily cost in Bogota is $78. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $39Bogota $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $78Bogota $66
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Bogota $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Xplor Fuego Tickets with Transfer: $165
- Round trip Private Transfer Cancun- Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres: $71
- Round Trip Private Transfer (Costa Mujeres): $210
- Private transfer from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila: $131
- Private Transfers to Cancun Airport, from Playa del Carmen: $98
- Private Transfers To Cancun Int'l Airport, from Playa Del Carmen: $97
- Private Transfer: Akumal to Cancun Airport CUN in SUV: $118
- Private Transfer to Xplor/Xplor fire/Xenses, roundtrip from PDC: $160
- Private Transfer to Cancun Int'l Airport, from Costa Mujeres: $88
- Private Transfer roundtrip to Xoximilco. from PLAYA and CANCUN: $260
- Private Transfer from Puerto Aventuras to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan -Minibus: $98
- Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport – Safe: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bogota
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bogota are as follows:
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Taxi from Airport$9.38
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Taxi Ride$0.49
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2 Bus Passes$1.11
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 by Sedan: $119
- Arrival Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota by Car: $93
- Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $97
- Bogotá to or from Villavieja or Tatacoa Desert Private Transfer: $167
- Bogota Airport (BOG) to Bogota - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $36
- Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota Downtown RoundTrip Private Transfer: $45
- Bogota Premium private transfer: $10
- Bogota Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Bogota Private Transfer from El Dorado to hotels 24/7: $20
- Bogota to Bogota Airport (BOG) - Departure Private Transfer: $18
- Bogota to or from Villavicencio Private Transfer: $94
- Downtown Hotels to Bogota Airport BOG Departure Private Transfer: $23
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
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Food Meals for one dayPlaya del Carmen $40Bogota $29
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.
- Dinner and Show at the Mayan Planetarium of Chichen: $39
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Carmen Cocina Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $65
- Flavors of Playa del Carmen, Mexican Food Tour: $67
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Drinks: $77
- Playa del Carmen Food Tour with 8+ Authentic Yucatan Dishes: $81
- Food Tour Through Markets with 7 Tastings: $82
- local walking food tour Inlakech Playa del Carmen: $85
- Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- VIP Private Mystery Dinner Murder in the Jungle: $85
- Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar: $89
Typical Food Prices in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$1.95
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Hot Dog$1.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bogota
For Bogota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Behind the Pint: Candelaria Craft Beer & Food Tour — 13 Tastings: $55
- Viejo Bogota Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $55
- Food Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $63
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Lunch: $90
- Private Colombian Cooking Class and Market Tour In Bogota: $95
- Food Tour in Local Markets (Bogota): $95
- Food Tour EN the Usaquén neighborhood: $125
- Bogotá Food Tour. Exotic Fruits and local Cuisine.: $250
- Tropical Abundance: Interactive Cooking Class in Bogota: $269
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Bogota $16
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Cenotes & Kaan Luum Lagoon Adventure from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 3-in-1 Tour to Tulum, Cenote and Maya Village Riviera Maya: $99
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 4 ADVENTURES 1 DAY Tulum Coba Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- 4 Casa Tortugas Cenotes Tour from Playa del Carmen: $142
- 4X1 Enjoy a tour to Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del Carmen: $20
- 4x1 Tulum Coba Cenote swim Full tour: $21
- AQUA WONDER (Half-Day Aquatic Tour in Tulum with Snorkeling and Meals): $129
- ATV & Cenote in Playa del Carmen by One Jungle Adventures: $105
- ATV & Speed Boat Combo Tour: $119
- ATV (Shared) & Cenote Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $130
- ATV Adventure Tour Zipline and Cenote Swim in Playa del Carmen: $55
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$1.63
Tours and Activities in Bogota
For Bogota, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Bogotá with Audio Guide: $5.93
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Paranormal Candelaria: $6.72
- Armed Conflict and Violence Tour in Bogotá, Colombia: $12
- Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
- Shared Walking Tour of Bogotá's Historic Center Candelaria: $14
- La Candelaria : The Best Tour of the Historic Center: $14
- Bogota Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $14
- 3-in-1 Panoramic city tour with walking candelaria & experiences: $15
- Chapinero Shared Walking Tour: $15
- Small group Tour Candelaria with must see: $15
- Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $16
- Candelaria Timeless Tour Bogota : History, Culture & Technology: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Bogota $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Playa del Carmen:
- Playa After Dark: 5th Ave Social Pub Crawl, Playa del Carmen: $36
- Playa del Carmen Local Brewery and Tacos Experience: $59
Sample the Local Flavors in Bogota
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bogota:
- Dave’s Bogota Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub CrawL la Candelaria/Bogotá Español: $27
- Pub Crawl in Bogotá: $29
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $30
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Bogotá, Colombia: $30
- Drinking Games Party Bus 1H Open Bar Pub Crawl to 4 to 6 Clubs: $35
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.