Is Colombia expensive to visit?
Colombia is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. It's generally not considered to be expensive at all, and our cost analysis agrees. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a very affordable country. It stands in the top 10% of countries in South America for its affordability. This makes it comparable with destinations such as Bolivia.
With a number of popular destinations for tourists, Colombia has cities with a variety of prices. The most expensive places to visit are Bogota, Pereira, and Rosario Islands. If you're looking for cheaper cities, you can visit Medellin, Cali, and Santa Marta.
Average daily price of selected cities in Colombia, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Rosario Islands | $105 |
| Pereira | $79 |
| Bogota | $61 |
| Tena | $59 |
| Cartagena | $55 |
| Salento | $38 |
| Santa Marta | $38 |
| Cali | $30 |
| Medellin | $29 |
Rosario Islands, Colombia
How expensive is Colombia?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in Colombia tends to be around $51 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Colombia here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Colombia?
On average, a one week trip to Colombia costs about $360 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $720.
How expensive is a two week trip to Colombia?
A two week trip to Colombia costs about $720 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,440.
How expensive is a month long trip to Colombia?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Colombia costs around $1,543 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $3,085.
La Candalaria, Bogota, Colombia
Is it expensive to backpack in Colombia?
Colombia is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 500 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $14 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Colombia here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Medellin, Santa Marta, and Bogota. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, San Gil, Filandia, and San Agustin has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $7, $7, and $4 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Leticia with an average cost of $25, $22, and $17 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Colombia.
- $23 for a dorm bed at Los Patios Hostel in Medellin
- $13 for a dorm bed at Masaya Santa Marta in Santa Marta
- $15 for a dorm bed at The Cranky Croc Hostel in Bogota
Where to find affordable hostels in Colombia
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Medellin | 79 | $14 |
| Santa Marta | 74 | $12 |
| Bogota | 73 | $11 |
| Cartagena | 58 | $25 |
| Cali | 30 | $11 |
| Salento | 28 | $13 |
| Jardin | 23 | $15 |
| San Gil | 21 | $7 |
| Leticia | 18 | $17 |
| Guatape | 14 | $12 |
| Barichara | 11 | $10 |
| Manizales | 11 | $15 |
| Filandia | 9 | $7 |
| Barranquilla | 8 | $22 |
| Pereira | 8 | $14 |
| San Agustin | 7 | $4 |
Are hotels expensive in Colombia?
When considering the analysis of hotel prices in Colombia, it becomes apparent that they are notably more budget-friendly compared to other countries. The average nightly price for a hotel room is around $0. However, within Colombia, be aware of varying prices across cities, with destinations like Rosario Islands commanding a higher average of $83 per night. For those looking for more economical choices, Bogota offers a budget-friendly alternative, with hotel prices averaging $32 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Colombia
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Rosario Islands | $83 |
| Cartagena | $81 |
| Pereira | $45 |
| Santa Marta | $38 |
| Medellin | $35 |
| Cali | $35 |
| Salento | $33 |
| Bogota | $32 |
Cartagena, Colombia
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Colombia?
Activities and things to do in Colombia can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $14 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Private Tour Comuna 13 with Cable Car Ride: $59
- City Tour Medellin: $63
- Coffee & Chocolate Private Tour in Medellin: Genuine Experience : $166
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- Private Bogota Tour: Farmers Market, Monserrate, Candelaria, 9hr: $49
- Pablo Escobar tour: $80
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- Coffee and Chocolate tour in Bogota: $49
Is food expensive in Colombia?
Food in Colombia can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $19 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Laureles Food Tour: $35
- Private Colombian Cooking Class in Medellin with a Local Family: $99
- Street food tour with Julie: $120
- A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $233
Salento, Colombia
Is transportation expensive in Colombia?
Local transportation in Colombia can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $8 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in Colombia can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $78 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for Colombia
If you're planning a trip to Colombia, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.