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

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Bogota?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Bogota can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Rio de Janeiro or Bogota?

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.

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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Bogota or Rio de Janeiro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, 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 Rio de Janeiro and Bogota in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $66
    Bogota $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $132
    Bogota $52
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Bogota

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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.

Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


Hotels in Bogota


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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Bogota Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $7.97
    Bogota $8.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
  • Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $55
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
  • Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
  • Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $97
  • Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $25
  • Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
  • Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
  • Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $76
  • Transfer in Rio: $35

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 Private Transfer from Bogota Airport BOG to Bogota City by Minivan: $89
  • Bogotá Private Luxury Transfer - Airport Pick Up or Drop Off - SUV Mercedes Benz: $97
  • Bogotá to or from Villa de Leyva Private Transfer: $80
  • Bogota Airport BOG to Downtown Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Business Car: $118
  • Departure Private Transfer Bogota City to Bogota Airport BOG in Luxury Van: $134
  • Downtown to Bogota Airport (BOG) Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • El Dorado International Airport (BOG) - Private Round trip transfer Bogota: $80
  • Layover Bogotá Private Tour + Transfer in & Out (4 Hrs.) : $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Bogota?

Prices for flights to both Bogota and Rio de Janeiro 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
    Rio de Janeiro $20
    Bogota $14
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.78
  • Hamburger
    $0.98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $45
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
  • THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
  • Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $22
    Bogota $13

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $49
  • Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
  • 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
  • 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $98
  • 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
  • 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
  • 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
  • 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
  • 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
  • 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $273
  • 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $275
  • 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $173

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:

  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - El Dorado Expedition, Part II: $6.99
  • Tour of the Colombian Armed Conflict: war, drug trafficking and peace: $13
  • Graffiti Tour: a fascinating walk through a street art City: $13
  • Shared Tour of the Historic Candelaria in Bogotá: $13
  • Graffiti Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $13
  • Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá: $14
  • Full Day Tour to the Colonial Town of Villa de Leyva: $15
  • Walking tour La Candelaria bogotá: $15
  • Cycling tour in Simon Bolivar Park and Virgilio Barco Library: $17
  • Historical Tour Bogotá: $18
  • Alternative tour of Bogotá: gastronomic and cultural: $18
  • Bike Tour through Bogotá: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Bogota $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $27
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Bogota, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Bogota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Bogota Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Bogota?

Bogota has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Rio de Janeiro. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Bogota?

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Bogota in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Bogota. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bogota throughout the year.

In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Bogota averages at about 14°C (57°F)in July.

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Bogotain July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F) 
    Bogota 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Bogota in the Autumn?

Both Bogota and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Bogota because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Bogotain October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°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 Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Bogotain October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F) 
    Bogota 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Bogota in the Winter?

Both Bogota and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bogota year-round.

Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Bogota in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Bogota fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in January.

Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in July than Bogotain January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F) 
    Bogota 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Bogota in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Bogota. Bogota attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Bogota. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Bogota averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bogotain April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bogota receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F) 
    Bogota 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Bogota and Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Bogota
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)