In general, Colombia is probably one of the cheapest countries in South America to travel to, where your dollars stretch so far that you don’t miss out on fantastic experiences. Boasting everything from delicious food and meals to low-cost transport, Colombia is among the best countries that can offer adventurous people the opportunity they desire.
- Affordable Meals: Lunches at menú del día rarely cost more than $2 and settle for street food such as empanadas and arepas as snacks.
- Low-Cost Accommodations: Mortackle for nights in the cheapest hostels campgrounds or hammocks that start at only $10.
- Smart Travel Options: Bust drivers are cheaper than flight ones and flights can be bought on Spanish-language airline websites for a lower amount of money.
- Budget-Friendly Nature: Many parks in Colombia and their recreational attractions are either inexpensive or even used without charge.
- Time Your Trip Wisely: Choose to visit in November, February, or March because you get good weather and better rates as well.
Pro Tip: Wondering how much you’ll need for your Colombian adventure? Check out our Cost of a 10-Day Trip in Colombia to plan your budget and make the most of your trip without breaking the bank!
Cartagena, Colombia
Dining and Accommodation: Affordable and Plentiful
Colombia has fixed-priced lunch menus often called the menú del día or ejecutivo that cost you as low as $2 and can feed you a three-course meal. Such lunches may consist of a soup or salad, a meat and rice dish and plantain, and a fruit juice. It’s good to approach these restaurants during lunchtime to get attractive offers.
Savory pastries like empanadas or filled breads containing meat or vegetables, and cheesy cornmeal cakes called arepas are good snacks. Since Colombia has a wide variety of home cookers, local markets such as the Paloquemao Market in Bogotá are home to fresh ingredients and Bogotá’s traditional meals. Preparation of food in the hostel kitchens leads to extreme savings even than the money incurred in the purchase of instant foods.
Accommodation is cheap as there are many hostels and charges from $10-$25 bed space in the dormitory. If you want to stay in a more unusual location, visit the country’s natural sites like Tayrona National Park or do hiking and sleep in the mountains in towns like Salento or Villa de Leiva.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide to Bogota’s Budget Wonders: Free and Low-Cost Attractions for insider tips on must-see spots that won’t cost you a dime!
El Peñol, Peñol, Antioquia, Colombia
Public Transportation on a Tight Budget
Concerning internal transportation, Colombia is fairly cheap and has a rich Offer. Interregional passenger transport has been realized through the availability of affordable buses for cities and towns. Night buses are specifically cheap because you spend the night in the bus and you are able to travel for long distances. However, be prepared for rather curvy roads and loud fun during the journey – earphones are necessary.
Another good example is low-cost airlines. Airfares, particularly flights originating in Bogotá, are usually affordable, especially if booked using Spanish-language airline websites. Some of these sites give their fares at $0.5 that of sites in English languages. If you don’t speak the language, use a browser that translates for you; however, be careful about the suitcase fees which can be very expensive at times.
Quimbaya – Filandia, Filandia, Quindío, Colombia
Immersing Yourself in Nature
Adventure certainly thrives in the country, but the stunning landscapes of Colombia don’t have to cost a pretty penny to access. All the parks, ranging from Andean slope to beach territory normally have small entry fees. It should also be noted that although tented camps like the Lost City Trek may be costly there are numerous trails and beautiful vantage points that can be admired at no cost.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide to budget travel in Latin America for tips on saving money while exploring this vibrant region. You’ll find insights on affordable accommodations, transportation hacks, and how to make the most of your trip without breaking the bank!
Salento, Quindio, Colombia
How to Save the Most Money When Visiting
However, it will also be wise to avoid traveling during any festive season, as this is usually expensive. Prices for accommodation and transport are relatively high, especially in the December/January holiday season in Colombia. If possible, avoid traveling during the high travel months of July and August and instead opt for the relatively good weather travel months of November, February, and March.
Mobility in Cities and Neighbourhoods
Another area it is possible to save money is urban exploration. Touristic boroughs such as El Poblado in Medellín and the historic area of Cartagena are very aesthetically pleasing but comparatively costly. If you’re looking for digital nomad havens still authentically Latin American on a more budget, try Laureles in Medellin or Getsemani in Cartagena.
In taking taxis, the price should always be agreed upon first although meters are commonly used today. On the other hand, other applications for carriage hailing such as Uber have set prices for various rides, and he indicated that there will be no additional charges on the price displayed at the time of hiring the car.
Daily Costs to Expect
- A dorm bed in a hostel: $10–$25
- Basic room for two: $20–$50
- Self-catering apartment: From $30
- Bus ticket (Bogotá to Medellín): $18–$23
- Cup of coffee: $0.80–$1.50
- Empanada: $0.50–$0.80
- Menú del día lunch: $2–$5
- Dinner for two at a restaurant: $25–$40
- Bottle of beer at a bar: $1–$2
Traveling on a shoestring in Colombia: Expert insider advice
- Ditch plastic: As a survival technique, you should always have a water filter to minimize the consumption of bottled water, and eventually, the environment will be free from the reach of plastic containers for purified water especially in rural areas.
- Learn basic Spanish: Learning a few phrases makes it easy to get local prices at markets and other small shops.
- Pack smart: Take along some earplugs for overnight buses, as a miniature tent and camping gear as well as a good pair of shoes.
- Explore for free: Sites of tourist interest include dancing salsa in Cali, or listening to symphony in the squares of Cartagena.
Indeed, Colombia is the place where even thrifty tourists will receive the benefits of cultural concentrations, majestic nature, and booming cities for a reasonable price. Now where was the fun in that? With a little forethought and some daring, you’ll find out how much your dollars are worth.