Colombia: Budget Tours & Affordable Adventures

Colombia is one of the most budget-friendly travel destinations. Discover what kinds of adventures await.

Is Colombia Cheap To Visit?

If you’re wondering, “is Colombia expensive to tour on an international trip?” the answer, fortunately, is no.

Thanks to international currency exchange rates and the country’s cost of living, Colombia is one of the most affordable destinations for global travelers.

How Much Is a Trip To Colombia, On Average?

Most people begin a trip to Colombia by flying in. The cost of a flight to and from Colombia varies throughout the year. Currently, the average round trip airline ticket from the United States to Colombia is $475.

The remaining costs of the trip depends on what kind of excursion you want to have. The least expensive trips are backpacking tours, where visitors “rough it”: traveling only on foot, only bringing what they can carry on their back.

Backpackers save money by spending their nights camping outdoors, eating food they’ve packed (plus carefully foraged plants and caught fish), and only engaging in free or low-cost activities like hiking. Most backpackers stick to exploring the Andes mountains or the Caribbean coast (particularly Tayrona National Park).

As a result, some backpackers report spending as little as $25 per day (or, $165 per person, per week,on group hikes) during their Colombia adventure.

Yet, a physically intense tour, composed almost entirely of hikes, isn’t most people’s ideal escapade. For those who want to experience the country’s cultural hubs, spend nights in nice hotels (or luxurious resorts!), dine in popular restaurants, and enjoy world-renowned attractions, the costs are higher—but well worth it!

For travelers seeking the most affordable end of that spectrum, it’s possible to get by on around $100 - $150 per person, per day. Exact rates vary by season. In this case, “most affordable” means staying in hostels, planning mostly free and low-cost activities (with 1-2 exceptions), and sticking to casual dining and market groceries.

But what if you want a trip that’s a slightly more premium experience? Maybe you want to stay in beachside resort hotels, complete with spas and rooftop pools. You might want to experience iconic attractions: the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral, the historic, vibrant neighborhoods of Cartagena, Andean coffee farms’ tasting tours—each of which costs between $25 - $50 USD per person. You may also prefer to travel from place to place in Colombia via private car, rather than public bus (or hiking).

Costs can add up pretty quickly. Fortunately, if that type of trip’s your goal, there are plenty of ways to make it happen without breaking the bank.

How To Plan Affordable Colombia Tours

To make a trip to Colombia cost less, plan your budget strategically. Consider what you might want to splurge on, and what is less of a priority for you.

You can break down expected costs into four categories:

• Attractions
• Accomodations
• Transportation
• Food

Destinations & Attractions

Plan your itinerary with your budget in mind. Colombia offers plenty of fun things to do and see at all price points.

Free

If you want to spend an afternoon without spending a dime, you could explore the city of Cartagena. The walled Old Town neighborhood was once a city in its own right. Now, it’s a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with stunning colonial-era architecture.

Barrio Getsemani is another fun neighborhood Cartagena: the city’s arts district. The space is filled with colorful architecture, live outdoor music performances, and beautiful murals.

Of course, you can’t talk about Cartagena without mentioning its beaches. The white sands of the tropical Playas de La Boquilla beach are free for anyone to enjoy.

In Bogota, explore the Museos del Banco de la República. These unique museums are free to the public, with a requested (non-mandatory) donation. They highlight different aspects of Colombia’s ancient and contemporary culture. One is wholly devoted to the collection and display of gold artifacts.

Low-Moderate Cost ($1 - $10 USD)

There are also plenty of attractions that, while not entirely free, are an affordable way for most travelers to spend a day. In Colombia, three standard out in particular.

Climb The Stone of Peñol

Over 700 ancient steps are carved into the rock formation of Peñol, also known as The Big Rock Of Guatapé, Colombia. To spend an afternoon climbing, celebrating with refreshments at the top, and enjoying the beautiful view only costs $6 USD.

Tickets To Special Exhibits In Jardín Botánico de Medellín

The botanical gardens of Jardín Botánico de Medellín are always free to the public. But, certain special exhibits cost a few dollars. One of the most popular is the vibrant Butterfly House.

Seasonal exhibits are also worth checking out. Every year during the Feria de las Flores flower festival, Jardín Botánico hosts an exhibit on orchid traditions.

Experience Festival Performances, Displays & Events

Speaking of Feria de las Flores, it’s the biggest Colombia festival in Medellin. Plenty of the performances and displays are free to enjoy, while others events charge a small fee.

Another popular, low-cost experience is The Ibero-American Theatre Festival in Bogota. Each year, dance, music, and art performances fill dozens of stages.

Premium ($25+)

Premium experiences can be worth splurging on while on a tour.

For instance, a guided, interactive experience of the subterranean Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral is a sublime experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. While it can cost up to $50, it can be spiritually transcendent, worth the cost for many.

Visitors with a sophisticated palette might instead opt to try one of Colombia’s many tasting tours.

Learn about the nation’s unique relationship to coffee, chocolate, or rum, and follow the journey of its creation. Then, taste several varieties for yourself, and—in some places—try your hand at making an original bar or brew.

Transportation

The most affordable model of transport within Colombia’s cities—particularly Bogota and Cartagena—is a bike. Both cities are very cyclist friendly.

Buses and collectivos (shared taxis) are also affordable. Most rides within city limits are priced between $0.30-0.80 USD.

For more privacy and comfort, rental cars and taxis are available, though they cost more.

Dining

There are plenty of ways to keep down your meals under budget in Colombia. The average person in Bogota spends about $25 USD on a week’s worth of groceries.

That said, there are plenty of less expensive places to dine out. In Bogota, many visitors enjoy grabbing a bite at La Puerto Falsa. The underrated spot serves excellent bandeja paisa breakfasts and $2 savory tamales.

Accomodations (Overnight Stays)

Visitors can stay in three different types of accomodations in Colombia, each at different price points.

Hostels

Hostels offer dorm beds and private rooms at affordable rates. In most of Colombia’s cities, you should be able to find at least a few.

The typical hostel bed in a shared room in Bogotá or Medellín ranged from $6 - $20 USD per night. Private rooms in hostels usually cost $25 - $50.

That said, certain hostels have deals, particularly during off seasons.

Hotels & Inns

Hotels and inns range in price. Yet, they’re reliably cheaper in Colombia than they are in similarly sized cities in the U.S.

Certain budget hotels and motels cost as little as $15 per room, per night. While the great rate might raise eyebrows, it’s worth noting that plenty of these cozy accommodations have a positive reputation for cleanliness, and friendly hosts.

The average 3-star hotel in Medellín charges between $60 - $70 per room, per night, while 4-star hotels cost $80 - $120

Luxury Hotels & Resorts

Luxury hotels, like the ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias Hotel in Cartagena, often cost well over $200 per room, per night. The elevated experience often includes amenities like salons, private beach access, and rooftop pools.

Colombia also offers five-star accommodations, like the Bogotá Marriott Hotel: an upscale space with fine dining, jacuzzis, full-service spas, and a prime location. The cost? $280 per room, per night.

Insurance & Safety

Buying travel insurance and medical insurance is an important part of taking international trips safely. This is particularly true if you plan to visit high-elevation destinations in Colombia. For some, traveling to a place 8,000+ feet above sea level significantly increases their risk of altitude sickness.

Ideally, it’s safest to purchase:

• Emergency evacuation coverage
• Medical insurance coverage
• Trip cancellation coverage

Use price comparison tools to find the most appropriate insurance package for your trip. Travel directors often recommend planning on spending 3% - 10% of your trip’s total cost on insurance.

Scoring Deals & Discounts

It’s worthwhile to look for ways to score deals and get discounts if you’re hoping for an affordable trip. Use price comparison apps, and try to be flexible with your travel dates to score the best deal.

You can also get discounted rates by booking well in advance, seeking out bundle pricing, and following travel-deal-focused social media accounts.

Certain deals can slash the cost of a Colombia trip in half.

Do Travel Packages Save Money?

Yes, absolutely. For example, ordinarily spending ten days at the five-star hotels, beaches, elegant restaurants and unmissable events featured in Caravan’s Colombia Tour would cost almost $3,000 per person.

Yet, the all-inclusive trip is packaged and priced at $1595.

Enjoy The Best of Colombia Without Breaking Your Budget

With Caravan, you save money and stress. Not only do our tours include excellent accommodations, meals, and transit, but activities are also built into the price.

To book your spot, call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826). Or, contact our agents at 1 (312) 321-9800 to learn more.