How much does it cost to travel Colombia ? This is surely one of the main questions we ask ourselves when planning a trip!
How much does a plane ticket to Colombia cost? What’s the average hotel cost per night in Colombia? How much will local transport cost? How much do I need to spend on going out and buying presents? In the end, it also comes down to the cost of living in Colombia.
The idea of this post is really to give you an idea of how to budget for your trip to Colombia. The budget we allocate to a trip is so individual that we can’t go into detail here.
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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How much does a trip to Colombia cost?
Estimated budget to travel Colombia
To begin with, here is a summary of our research for those who would like a general budget estimate for a trip to Colombia.
Price estimates are based on our experience of the cost of living in Colombia. Inflation in Colombia is high from year to year, but exchange rates also vary widely, so it’s difficult to reliably estimate a global budget in euros.
We therefore suggest that you divide the estimated budget for your trip to Colombia into two parts: the airfare budget in dollars and the expenses in Colombia in pesos.
Current rates
| US Dollar | British Pound | Canadian Dollar |
|---|---|---|
$1 USD = | £1 = | $1 CAD = |
100 000 COP = $ | 100 000 COP = £ | 100 000 COP = $ |
Colombia travel cost (Do it yourself)
| Self-prepared trip | Estimated price per person (excluding international flights) | USD conversion |
|---|---|---|
| 3 weeks “Backbacker | $2.200.000 COP | $ |
| 3 weeks “Medium | $7.600.000 COP | $ |
| 3 weeks “Comfortable | $14.000.000 COP | $ |
Tailor-made trip to Colombia cost (With a travel agency)
For more information, you can read our post on tailor-made tours in Colombia and travel agencies in Colombia.
| Tailor-made trip with a travel agency | Estimated price per person (excluding international flights) |
|---|---|
| 2-week trip in Colombia | around $2.000 USD |
| 3-week trip in Colombia | around $3.000 USD |
| 4-week trip in Colombia | around $4.000 USD |
For more details on budgeting for independent travellers, you can continue reading this post where we detail budget estimates for a trip to Colombia, item by item: airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport, extra expenses..
At the end of the post, we’ll give you three budget examples for a trip to Colombia.
ATTENTION
We would like to warn you that all prices in this post are only estimates based on our experience and research. The cost of living in Colombia fluctuates upwards over the years. We will do our best to keep this post up to date.
Saving money
Payments in Colombia and transfers
To begin with, since we’re talking about budgets, we might as well start by making savings in your budget for a trip to Colombia . We’re going to tell you about two services we particularly like and use.
Free bank cards for traveling and avoiding bank charges
N26 (Germany) and Revolut (UK – USA) are new banks that offer services dedicated to travelers: account opening and a free bank card that lets you pay anywhere abroad without any bank charges.
Where’s the “wolf” in that? For once, there isn’t one. We advise you to read our comparison of the best banks for travelers, which will give you an idea.
These cards are to be taken as travel bank cards that come alongside your usual bank account. You’ll be able to credit money to them for your trip, manage your budget super-easily and, above all, save money!
Remitly, to send money to Colombia free of charge
Remitly is an international transfer platform offering the lowest costs for sending money to Colombia. We recommend you read our comparison of money transfer platforms on this subject.
Why would this be useful for your trip to Colombia?
You need to make a reservation (a visit, an excursion or accommodation) and you’re asked to pay a deposit into a Colombian account: with Remilty you avoid the fees on international transfers with the best chage rate. Remilty is the cheapest and easiest platform to use.
If you’re interested in this solution, read our review and tutorial to learn how to use Remitly.
Hotel cost
How much does an hotel room cost in Colombia
After the plane ticket comes the question of accommodation, certainly the second most important part of a budget for a trip to Colombia.
As you’ll see, hotel prices in Colombia are much cheaper than in the US, UK or Canada, but you’re often in Colombia for several weeks at a time. So all in all, accommodation becomes a real budget that you really need to anticipate.
Where to book your hotel in Colombia
- Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Colombia, offering the widest range of accommodations at all prices. It often offers free cancellations, which can come in handy when changing plans.
- Hostelworld is the other very good platform we use, more dedicated to hostales. You’ll find just about every hostal for every budget.
How much to spend on hotel rooms in Colombia
To keep things simple, we’ve decided to divide accommodation prices into four main categories.
Prices have risen quite a bit in recent years, but there are still offers to suit all budgets.
| Budget type | Price per room/bed | USD conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Small budget (1-person dormitory bed) | between $25.000 and $50.000 COP / night | between $ |
| Small budget (double room) | between $75.000 and $100.000 COP / night | between $ |
| Average budget (double occupancy) | between $100.000 and $200.000 COP / night | between $ |
| High budget (double occupancy) | between $200.000 and $350.000 COP / night | between $ |
| Very high budget (double ch.) | over $350.000 COP / night | above $ |
Low-budget accommodation single person (less than $50.000 COP / night)
If you’re traveling alone, the cheapest option is to sleep in dormitories in hostals.
Budget accommodation for couples (between $75.000 and $100.000 COP / night)
As a couple, you’ll find double rooms at $50.000 COP in the countryside or in small towns. Comfort won’t be the number 1 criterion at these rates. You’re surely find best options around $100.000 COP.
Average accommodation budget (between $100.000 and $200.000 COP / night)
At these prices, double rooms with comfortable en-suite bathrooms can usually be found almost everywhere in Colombia, except perhaps in places like Cartagena and Medellin. For us, this is the average budget we set ourselves, which allows us to treat ourselves at times and save money at others.
High accommodation budget (between $200.000 and $350.000 COP / night)
Now, this is a very comfortable budget for accommodation in Colombia. Depending on the region, you’ll find some very nice places to stay at this price, and it’s a good opportunity to treat yourself.
High budget accommodation (over $350.000 COP / night)
We’re entering the category of high-end hotels, and you’ll find magnificent rooms in exceptional locations. Make the most of it!
What is the hotel cost for a trip to Colombia?
An average of $150.000 COP per night for 2 people
We set ourselves a budget of $150.000 COP/night, but we know that there will be nights when we’ll pay less, so we leave ourselves the possibility of indulging occasionally with a few nights in beautiful hotels.
Food cost
How much does a restaurant cost in Colombia
Once you’ve paid for your plane ticket and hotel reservations, you’ll have a good basis for planning your budget for a trip to Colombia. When it comes to food, you should be aware that prices have risen sharply as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and inflation has been rising steadily since the beginning of 2022.
However, whether you want to eat out or have a drink, you can find good restaurants at very good prices. And if you want to treat yourself, you won’t break the piggy bank either!
How much to spend on food in Colombia
Here again, we’re going to start from a different price range, depending on the type of food or drink you want to try.
| Type of budget | Budget for 1 meal per person | USD conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Small budget | between $10.000 and $20.000 COP | between $ |
| Average budget | between $20.000 and $50.000 COP | between $ |
| High budget | between $50.000 and $100.000 COP | between $ |
| Very high budget | over $100.000 COP | above $ |
| Treats and drinks | between $2.500 and $25.000 COP | between $ |
Small budget (between $10.000 and $20.000 COP per meal)
Street food, daily specials, “corrientazo”, that’s what you’ll find for this price: local food at the best price. That’s not to say it’s bad quality – on the contrary! Just know that if you look hard enough, especially around markets and bus stations, you’ll find simple, but well-priced food. You’ll be able to eat simply, but well, at low prices… Beware, however, of weak stomachs, especially if you decide to eat in the street..
Average budget (between $20.000 and $50.000 COP per meal)
At these prices, even in medium-sized towns, there’s a huge choice. Depending on the restaurant, you’ll find starter/main course/serving/drink menus, but also a good deal in restaurants offering refined, modern cuisine.
High budget (between $50.000 and $100.000 COP per meal)
Above $50.000 you’re already entering a range of restaurants where you’ll pay either for an exceptional location, or for quality on the plate that should start to delight your taste buds.
Very high budget (over $100.000 COP per meal)
Above $100.000, you’re looking at top-of-the-range services for Colombia. This will be the case, for example, at one of Bogotá’s best-known gourmet restaurants, Léo, one of Latin America’s top chefs.
Small pleasures (between $2.500 and $25.000 COP)
A beer on the terrace, a fresh fruit juice to go, an ice cream, an empanada, an arepita, a cafecito on the street corner, etc. – all the little everyday pleasures that make a trip to Colombia so charming! Depending on what you feel like treating yourself to at the time and where you take it, the price may vary (a mojito at Cafe del mar in Cartagena will cost you 30.000 pesos! but that’s just to give you an idea. Save yourself a small envelope so you don’t have to deprive yourself of these little pleasures.
What is the average meal cost for a trip to Colombia?
$150.000 COP per day for 2 people
Breakfast at $10.000 COP two meals at $25.000 COP.
We estimate between $100.000 and $150.000 COP per day for 2 people, including small pleasures. But then again, this allows you to be quite flexible, to pay much less for meals on certain days and indulge yourself at other times.
Transportation cost
How much does transports cost in Colombia
Depending on the type of transportation you choose to use in Colombia, your budget will be affected. Colombia is a large country, and distances between tourist sites can be very long. It often takes 1 day of transport to get from one part of the country to another, so it’s very important to plan your itinerary well in advance.
How much to budget for transport in Colombia
We’ll break down your budget by mode of transport
| Type of transport | Budget | USD Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance bus | between $60.000 and $100.000 COP | between $ |
| Domestic flights | between $150.000 and $600.000 COP | between $ |
| Cab (short trips in town) | between $5.000 and $10.000 COP | between $ |
| Buseta | between $2.000 and $10.000 COP | between $ |
| Car rental | between $150.000 and $200.000 COP per day | between $ |
Long-distance bus budget (between $60.000 and $100.000 COP)
Read all about it in our post on buses in Colombia. In most cases, this is the most economical way to travel from one major city to another. The long-distance bus network is very well developed in Colombia. The buses are safe and comfortable, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Budget domestic flights (between $200.000 and $400.000 COP one-way)
You can read our post on domestic flights in Colombia, where we give you all the information you need. Between the national airlines Avianca or Latam, the low-cost airlines and the regional airlines, the range of airlines in Colombia is complete. Regional airlines such as Satena and EasyFly are sometimes the only way to reach certain regions, and this should be factored into your budget.
Budget Taxi (between $5.000 and $10.000 COP for short city trips)
This is the most practical means of transport for a short trip around town. Although we’ve never had any problems, we’d still advise you to use cabs booked from a mobile app or from your hotel rather than on the street. Uber-type services also work very well in Colombia.
Budget Buseta (between $2.000 and $10.000 COP depending on the type of trip)
This is still the most common means of transport in small towns for short journeys (around $2.000) and also between small towns (between $5.000 and $10.000).
Budget Car rental (between $150.000 and $200.000 COP per day)
We recommend that you read our post on car rental for full details. It’s a good option for exploring a region over a few days, or for taking a real road trip, as we did on our road trip from Bogotá to Santa Marta.
What is the budget for transport in Colombia?
Your transport budget will depend entirely on how you plan your itinerary and which modes of transport you use. Bear in mind that air travel is the most polluting mode of transport, so try to use it only as a last resort: a well-thought-out itinerary allows you to discover the country in depth and avoid jumping from one region to another.
Activities cost
How much does it cost to do tours and activities in Colombia
Once you’re in Colombia, you may be tempted to treat yourself to some tourist activities (guided tours, scuba diving, paragliding, mountain trekking, etc.) or excursions to incredible places, which often require you to go through an agency.
You’ll need to budget for all these activities, because you’ll see that they can get very expensive very quickly! You’ll have to make your own choices, but if you fall for it, you can be sure that you’ll have some incredible experiences.
How much does it cost to do activities in Colombia?
Once again, the prices given here are very general examples. Each activity must be researched to find the agency that best suits your needs in terms of service and price
| Activity budget | Amount to allow | USD conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Scuba diving | between $400.000 COP (baptism) and $1.200.000 COP (PADI Open water) | between $ |
| Paraglider | approx. $150.000 COP | ≃ $ |
| Rafting | between $50.000 and $400.000 COP | between $ |
| High mountain trekking | between $300.000 COP (1 day) and $1.500.000 COP (5 days) | between $ |
| Trek to Ciudad Perdida | $2.150.000 COP from Santa Marta | $ |
| Guajira Desert | approx. $900.000 COP for 3 days from Riohacha | ≃ $ |
| Caño Cristales | approx. $1.100.000 COP for 3 days (excluding airfare) | ≃ $ |
| Nuqui | approx. $1.200.000 COP for 3 days (excluding airfare) | ≃ $ |
| Amazon | approx. $1.200.000 COP for 3 days (excluding airfare) | ≃ $ |
| Casanare | approx. $1.500.000 COP for 3 days (excluding airfare) | ≃ $ |
| Tatacoa Desert | approx. $170.000 COP for 1 day from Neiva | ≃ $ |
Scuba diving (between $400.000 COP (baptism) and $1.200.000 COP (PADI Open water)
Between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colombia is a fabulous playground for scuba diving enthusiasts. Contact our partners below to make your diving dreams come true in Colombia, whether in Santa Marta or on the Pacific coast.
Paragliding (around $150.000 COP)
For paragliding flights of around 15 or 20 minutes. We haven’t tried it yet, but it’s an activity available just about everywhere in the Andes. The most famous spots are in Medellín and San Gil, above the Chicamocha Canyon.
Rafting (between $50.000 and $400.000 COP)
Rates vary widely depending on the location, from $50.000 COP for rafting on a city river without much adventure, to $400.000 COP for a real off-the-beaten-track experience. Again, the most famous spots are around San Gil, San Agustin and Medellín.
High mountain trekking (between $300.000 COP and $1.500.000 COP)
The cost of a trek depends on the destination and, above all, the number of days you’ll be trekking. A one-day trek to Cocora will cost you around $300.000 COP, while a 5-day trek to Los Nevados Park will cost you around $1.500.000 COP.
Trek to Ciudad Perdida ($2.1550.000 COP from Santa Marta)
The trek to Ciudad Perdida costs $2.1550.000 COP from Santa Marta, and all agencies charge the same regulated rate.
Guajira Desert (approx. $900.000 COP for 3 days from Riohacha)
The approximate price is around $900.000 COP / pers. for 3 days in the Guajira Desert, departing from Riohacha. Transport, activities, accommodation and meals are included.
Caño Cristales (around $1.100.000 COP for 3 days without domestic flights)
Three days in Caño Cristales departing from La Macarena. This approximate price includes activities and full-board accommodation, but does not include domestic flights to La Macarena.
Nuqui (around $1.200.000 COP / pers. for 3 days without domestic flights)
This is an approximate rate that includes activities and full-board accommodation, but does not include domestic flights to get there.
Leticia (around $1.200.000 COP / pers. for 3 days without domestic flights)
This is an approximate rate that includes activities and full-board accommodation, but does not include domestic flights to get there.
Casanare (around $1.500.000 COP / pers. for 3 days without domestic flights)
This is an approximate price that includes activities and full-board accommodation, but does not include domestic flights to get there.
Tatacoa Desert (from $170.000 COP / pers. for 1 day departing from Neiva)
This is the price for a one-day tour departing from Neiva, including transport in a minivan, lunch and local guide.
How much doest it cost to do activities in Colombia?
It’s up to you to allocate a specific budget for these activities and excursions, and to plan ahead so you don’t miss out on any magical experiences.
Souvenir cost
How much does a souvenir cost in Colombia
As we all know, a trip is also an opportunity to bring home memories, so that the journey continues and we can look back on things years later. It’s also about bringing home little gifts for family and friends, to thank them for listening to our endless stories and thousands of photos!
How much will it cost to bring back souvenirs from Colombia?
That depends on the type of gift you want to give yourself. There are some nice little things that don’t cost too much, and others where you’ll need to count on a real budget, but it can be well worth it! We love Colombian handicrafts, so we always plan a big gift budget!
- 500gr pack of “Juan Valdez” or “Quindio” or “Matiz” coffee: $25.000 COP
- Choco Café, “Oma” chocolate-covered coffee beans: $5000 COP
- Coffee cookie: $5.000 COP
- Arequipe (milk jam): $5000 COP
- Artisanal ceramic cups (Raquira): $2.000 COP
- Small seed jewels: $10.000 COP
- Pre-Columbian gold-plated jewelry: $30.000 COP
- Hat (Andes, Caribbean): between $50.000 and $150.000 COP
- Traditional ruana (Boyaca, Cundinamarca): between $150.000 and $250.000 COP
- Mochila Wayuu (Guajira): between $60.000 COP (on site in Guajira only) and $150.000
- Mochila Arhuaca (Sierra Nevada): between $200.000 and $300.000 COP
- Hammock (Caribbean, Amazon, Andes): between $150.000 and $2.000.000 COP
Watch out for low prices
Beware of low prices, especially on Wayuu mochilas, which may mean that they have either been sewn quickly to meet demand with the wrong thread, or that they are simply fake and of poor quality.
In general.Colombian handicrafts are of the highest quality and take an enormous amount of time to make. Out of respect for the craftsmen, avoid haggling over prices, especially if you buy directly from them. Their work is generally not paid for at its true value.
3 examples of cost for a trip to Colombia
How much does it cost to travel Colombia
Notes on these estimates
For these estimates of budgets for a trip to Colombia, we have deliberately taken the high end of our budgets by sector. (see the different categories in the post).
It’s perhaps on the extras (activities, gifts, etc.) that you’ll need to take more margin if you want to do lots of paying activities on the spot.
So it’s time for a little recap and to condense here some ideas for an overall budget for a trip to Colombia .
Sample travel cost for 3 weeks in Colombia
Here are the details of the 3 typical budgets, with estimates of daily expenses, which you can adapt according to the number of days planned for your trip to Colombia and the level of comfort you wish to have.
| Sample: Travel cost per pers. for 3 weeks in Colombia | Backpacker | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $2.200.000 COP | $7.600.000 COP | $14.000.000 COP |
| Accommodation | 40.000 COP/day | $150.000 COP/day | $300.000 COP/day |
| Meals | $50.000 COP/day | $100.000 COP/day | $150.000 COP/day |
| Internal transport | $100.000 COP/day | $150.000 COP/day | $250.000 COP/day |
| Extras | $0 COP | $2.000.000 COP | $4.000.000 COP |
The idea here is to offer approximate examples, to give a general idea. Everyone will make their own budget according to their itinerary and way of traveling. The budget of a solo backpacker will not be the same as that of a family with children, of course! The budget for a classic itinerary in Colombia will not be the same as for an itinerary off the beaten track.
Backpacker travel cost
Details
- Daily accommodation: $40.000 COP
- Daily meals: $50.000 COP
- Internal transport per trip: $100.000 COP
- Extra: $0 COP (no paid activities, no gifts, no treats)
Sample “Backpacker” travel cost for a 3-week trip to Colombia for one person
$2.200.000 COP
(20 nights: $800.000 COP 40 meals and 20 breakfasts: $1.000.000 COP 4 long-distance bus trips: $400.000 COP)
“Average” travel cost
Details
- Daily accommodation : $150.000 COP
- Daily meals : $100.000 COP
- Internal transport per trip: $150.000 COP
- Extra: $2.000.000 COP
Sample “Average” travel cost for a 3-week trip to Colombia for one person
$7.600.000 COP
(20 overnight stays: $3.000.000 COP 40 meals and 20 breakfasts: $2.000.000 COP 4 long-distance plane or bus trips: $600.000 COP Extra: $2.000.000 COP (1 diving course 1 mountain trek or 3 days in the Guajira gifts…)
“High” travel cost
Details
- Daily accommodation : $300.000 COP
- Daily meals: $150.000 COP
- Internal transport per trip: $250.000 COP
- Extra: $4.000.000 COP
Sample “High” travel budget for a 3-week trip to Colombia for one person
$14.000.000 COP
(20 overnight stays: $6.000.000 COP 40 meals and 20 breakfasts: $3.000.000 COP 4 long-distance plane or bus trips: $1.000.000 COP Extra: $4.000.000 COP (1 diving course 1 mountain trek 3 days in the Guajira gifts…)
Conclusion on costs for a trip to Colombia
It’s up to you to estimate , from all the information we’ve given you in this post, the budget you’d like to set aside for your trip to Colombia.
While some will want to travel as cheaply as possible, others will want a certain level of comfort and still others will want to leave room for the pleasant surprises that are bound to come their way.
Do it yourself if you are on a budget
It’s obvious, but it’s cheaper to organize all you trip to Colombia by yourself.
Use a travel agency to take the organizational burden off your shoulders
Of course it’s more expensive, but you’ll keep your mind free of the burden of organizing your trip to Colombia.
Be prepared to pay a minimum of $150 to $160 USD per day and per pers (2 people basis) to organize a tailor-made trip to Colombia with a local travel agency
