Is Colombia Expensive?
Is Colombia expensive and how much cash do you need while traveling here?
Not only is it inexpensive to travel to from the United States, Colombia is one of the most popular countries to explore in South America and has endless adventures to offer.
As well as enjoying the lively atmospheres, the climate is also great year-round, where you relax on stunning Caribbean beaches or enjoy the mountainous cities of Medellin or Bucaramanga.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling Colombia, such as for accommodation, food and getting around.
As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your million dollar questions in our FAQ section.
Is Colombia Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Colombia is quite an inexpensive country to travel around, although it’s not the all-time cheapest (many think it is – however prices have been increasing given the increases in tourism).
Travelers can live off a daily budget of $25-30, which includes staying in a really nice dorm room (or budget private room) as well as eating several, filling local meals.
Things to know before traveling to Colombia
- Distances can be Huge – When compared on a map with Brazil, Colombia looks small. However don’t let this fool you – you can easily spend over a day getting between different destinations when here. Whilst the bus remains the cheapest way to get around, we highly recommend using domestic flights on certain routes which are similar in price (for example Medellin to Santa Marta, or from Bogotá to Pasto).
- Pack for Various Climates – Again another surprise for travelers is that you’re more likely to experience all four seasons through Colombia than just the searing heat. Of course pack light clothes (given most of the country is hot), however cities like Medellin and Bogotá can feel cooler, whilst places in the Cócora Valley can get quite chilly at night where you’ll need a jumper or coat.
- Colombia is Safer than you Think – The safety situation here has increased exponentially in recent decades, given the country’s organized crack-down on drug cartels and related shady businesses. In the majority of Colombia’s popular destinations, you’ll actually be in good hands safety-wise (such as Medellin, Bogotá, Santa Marta etc). You’ll still want to follow the basic safety principles in South America Safety Guide though, which are written from our own experience.
How much does a trip to Colombia cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend between $25-30 a day in Colombia, whilst those who want a more deluxe experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $35-40 a day.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in Colombia
Overall accommodation is really cheap here, and could easily be the cheapest in the continent (given there’s many hostels all competing on price).
If you want a really cheap stay, then you can find dorm beds in nice hostels going for around $5-7. Now of course if you pay a bit more ($7-10) then you can upgrade to a nicer hostel, which usually has awesome amenities on-site such as a swimming pool, restaurant or bar. See this list of best hostels in Colombia for closer look at what they have on offer.
If you’re heading to Bogotá soon, then you’ll want to stay at the Hostal Casa Astromelia. Located in one of the best tourist areas (of La Candelaria), you’ll also have free breakfast included in the room rate.
Colombia also has a wide range of great private stays for those who want an upgrade. These range from cozy private rooms in hotels to beach glamping or stays at lucrative city hotels.
When in Santa Marta, we highly recommend staying at the Bonita Bay Concept Hotel. Located right next to the coast, you’ll be staying in a deluxe room with some incredible views over the Caribbean Ocean.
Cost of Food in Colombia
When traveling around for a while, you’ll usually find that food tends to be one of your biggest outgoings.
Here in Colombia though food is generally pretty cheap, where you can eat a solid well-balanced meal for between $3-5 and feel fully satisfied for the day.
The menu ejecutivo is a local-style menu which costs just $1-3, and is great since you can use the opportunity to try out various local foods (where you’ll get a starter, main and drink included).
If you have a more refined palette (or prefer spending more in nicer restaurants), then you’ll also be in good hands.
In the major cities like Bogotá or Medellin, we’ll find luxurious restaurants everywhere serving both Colombian delights and international cuisines. A meal at one of these nicer establishments can cost anywhere from $5-10+
Cost of Transportation in Colombia
Working out how you’ll get around Colombia is a big consideration to take into account before arriving here. Distances can be pretty huge (buses of over 20 hours), so you’ll want to map out your route beforehand.
Costs are generally pretty cheap for buses between destinations, where for example a ride from Bogotá to Medellin (9 hours) will cost around $25.
Another popular option to keep in mind is flying. Whilst costs of flights can usually rack up quickly (along with baggage fees and extras), in Colombia they’re pretty cheap where you’ll find similar prices to buses whilst saving on tonnes of travel time.
For example the flight from Bogotá to Santa Marta costs around $50 (without baggage fees), whilst the bus costs $30. However, by flying and paying that little bit extra, you’ll save over 20 hours of travel time!
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Colombia
There are many worthwhile things to see when backpacking Colombia. From the Rosario Islands off the shore of Cartagena to visiting Guatapé from Medellin, tours are a great way of seeing all the gems (you’ll save more time on a tour than if going independently).
The actual costs can vary, however you’ll find there’s plenty of options that include meals or extras, so it’s just a case of browsing and finding the right experience for you. Multi-day tours are also a great way of seeing some of the more remote hidden gems, which are pretty good value.
One of our very best suggestions is this 4 Day Trek to The Lost City, which is situated deep within the jungle outside of Santa Marta. Here you’ll have all meals and lodging included, as well as entrance to the ancient site. I (George) did this tour a few years back, and it was one of the most memorable multi-day tours I’ve ever done.
Cost of Visiting Colombia FAQs
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Is Colombia Expensive for Tourists?
Thanks for reading our guide on how expensive Colombia is for travelers.
This incredible Latin country is a must visit, and we think everyone should visit here at least once in their lifetime. Here we can explore sizzling atmospheres, postcard-perfect beaches as well as visit some truly unique sites.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Colombia. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Be sure to read our Colombia backpacking Itinerary to learn how to best use your time when heading through this spicy South American nation.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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