Is Colombia Expensive?

Is Colombia expensive to visit?

While Colombia is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in South America, travelers find it to be a very affordable country. Ranked in the top 10% of countries in South America for its affordability, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries 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 Tena, 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 $128
Pereira $96
Tena $72
Bogota $69
Cartagena $62
Salento $46
Santa Marta $46
Cali $37
Medellin $33


Pereira, Colombia

How expensive is Colombia?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Colombia tends to be around $63 (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 $439 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 $879.

How expensive is a two week trip to Colombia?

A two week trip to Colombia costs about $879 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 $1,758.

How expensive is a month long trip to Colombia?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Colombia costs around $1,883 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $3,767.



Cartagena, Colombia

Is it expensive to backpack in Colombia?

Colombia is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 510 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $16 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Colombia here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Medellin, Bogota, and Santa Marta. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, San Gil, Filandia, and San Agustin has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $10, $9, and $8 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Leticia, Barranquilla, and Cartagena with an average cost of $27, $27, and $22 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Colombia.

  • $15 for a dorm bed at Los Patios Hostel in Medellin
  • $22 for a dorm bed at The Cranky Croc Hostel in Bogota
  • $9 for a dorm bed at La Brisa Loca in Santa Marta

Where to find affordable hostels in Colombia
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Medellin 84 $16
Bogota 76 $14
Santa Marta 63 $13
Cartagena 56 $22
Cali 33 $14
Salento 32 $17
Jardin 24 $16
San Gil 20 $10
Leticia 18 $27
Guatape 14 $14
Barichara 11 $13
Manizales 11 $18
Barranquilla 9 $27
San Agustin 9 $8
Pereira 9 $16
Filandia 9 $9

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 $56. However, within Colombia, be aware of varying prices across cities, with destinations like Rosario Islands commanding a higher average of $390 per night. For those looking for more economical choices, Salento offers a budget-friendly alternative, with hotel prices averaging $33 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in Colombia
City Average Hotel Price
Rosario Islands $390
Cartagena $90
Medellin $55
Pereira $45
Bogota $41
Santa Marta $38
Cali $35
Salento $33

Km19 Via Cienaga, Santa Marta
Overall Rating 9.4


Santa Marta, 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 $17 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

  • City Tour Medellin: $100
  • Coffee & Chocolate Private Tour in Medellin: Genuine Experience: $195
  • The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $33
  • Private Guatape Town & Peñol Rock & Llama Farm Tour: $156
  • Cartagena Food Adventure: 10 Dishes, Street Food & Sit-Down stops: $59
  • Private Guatape & HorseBack Ride Tour Door to Door From Medellin: $194
  • 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
  • Private Pablo Escobar Tour Medellin – History & Context: $121

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 $23 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: $45
  • Private Colombian Cooking Class in Medellin with a Local Family: $159
  • Plaza Minorista Tour and Home Cooking in Medellín with Daniela: $189
  • Food Tour History °Cafe Cartagena Tasting: $40
  • Cooking Class 4 Hours with a local Mom in Cartagena: $80
  • Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $39


Cartagena, 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 $9 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 $95 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.



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