Is Medellin expensive to visit?
Medellin is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
You can find Medellin to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
On average, budget travelers spend $10 (CO$43,178) per day, mid-range travelers spend $26 (CO$114,023) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $74 (CO$318,323) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Medellin.
Within South America, Medellin is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Medellin.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Medellin Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Medellin?
The average Medellin trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Medellin travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Medellin cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Medellin. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $10 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, there's plenty of hostels in Medellin, like Los Patios Hostel, Black Sheep Hostel Medellin, and Viajero Medellin Hostel. Here, you can score affordable dorm accommodation along with a vibrant social scene, though amenities may be lacking.
So, are you average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. When visiting Medellin, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $26 per person, per day.
Medellin offers a diverse selection of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with companions, you can share a hotel room with a partner, friend, or your kids, making it easier on your wallet. Families should look for hotels and restaurants that are family-friendly. Sites Hotel is an excellent option for kids, and El Porton de San Joaquin is another fantastic choice. For more family and couple-friendly accommodations, check out our hotel guide for Medellin here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $74 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Graffiti Tour/Comuna 13, Exotic Fruit Tasting & Cable Car Ride - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Medellin
The cost of hotels in Medellin can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $35, but the demand in peak season pushes that average to around $65. Budget hotels range from $18 to $129, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Medellin for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $8.31 (CO$36,272). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $4.15 (CO$18,136) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Medellin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Medellin include:
- Hotel Porton Medellin starting at $73
- Four Points Sheraton Medellin starting at $80
- Hotel San Fernando Plaza starting at $61
- Hotel Du Parc Royal starting at $94
- Inntu Hotel starting at $50
By avoiding the peak season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Medellin
In Medellin, the public transit system is not very good.
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $3.62 (CO$15,801) per person, per day, on local transportation in Medellin. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Medellin is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$3.62
CO$15,801
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Night-time Private transfer service from or to Medellín Airport for $47 details
- Medellín Airport Transfer for $50 details
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Medellin Airport -Medellin City for $47 details
How much does it cost to go to Medellin? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Medellin will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Listed below are some transit expenses in Medellin, taken from reports by other travelers. These costs offer a snapshot of transportation prices in the city to give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that your costs may differ, especially if you opt for more expensive options like taxis, which typically cost more than public transportation.
Food Budget in Medellin
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Medellin can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Medellin is $15 (CO$63,462) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$15
CO$63,462
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Medellin is around $15 (CO$63462) per person, with previous travelers spending from $6 to $41. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Medellin are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $4
- Lunch: $2 to $6
- Dinner: $4 to $10
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $2
Corn and beans along with meat and fish are important in local dishes. A typical mountaineer dish, the Bandeja Paisa, is considered to be the national dish of Colombia and is native to the area surrounding Medellin. Originally, this caloric meal was created to provide peasant workers with enough energy to keep them going throughout the entire day. It has 15 ingredients including rice, plantain, an arepa (corn cakes), avocado, minced meat, chorizo, black sausage, fried pork rind and a fried egg. Porridge, containing milk, corn and sugarcane, is also a characteristic dish of the department of Antioquia.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Fill a water bottle rather than purchasing drinks constantly. It's a smart and eco-friendly choice.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Medellin, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Full Day Private Medellin City, Street Art and Food Tour for $175 details
- Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour for $245 details
- Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio for $100 details
Below are some standard food costs in Medellin, gathered from real travelers. These prices should give you a general idea of what you can expect to spend on dining and meals. Keep in mind, though, that your own costs may differ depending on your taste in restaurants, travel habits, and menu choices.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Medellin
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Medellin typically cost an average of $11 (CO$48,771) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$11
CO$48,771
Head to Plaza Botero, the best place to see famous Medellin sculptor Fernando Botero Angulo's larger-than-life figures. Centrally located in the "old quarter" of the city, it can be reached via the nearby Parque Berrio metro station. Nearby is also the Museo de Antioquia where you will find many of Botero's paintings, as well as work from other famous Latin American artists. The entrance is free so check it out! If you are looking for an oasis of calm in the busy city center, the gorgeous botanical gardens hold an amazing variety of flora and fauna and are completely free to enter. With their own butterfly house and great places to stop, relax, and admire the surrounding nature, these green gardens are a fantastic place to visit during your stay in Medellin. The city's Metrocable is an impressive transport system that connects the busy city center with the residential areas built up on the hillsides. It expands all the way up to Parque Arvi, a large nature reserve in the hills of Medellin and a great escape from the city. Visit the park for a bit of peace and quiet and observe the vast array of wildlife. Nearby is the town of Santa Elena, where you can grab a bite to eat or even lodge up for a night or two. If you want to visit the surrounding areas of Medellin, you can also head to Guatape, a town in the larger municipality of Antioquia. Located 2 hours out of the city, many visitors come to admire the town's pretty colored houses and soak up the natural beauty of the surrounding area. The main attraction of this small town is El Penol, a towering rock peering over the whole surrounding area, which requires you to climb some steep 600 steps but worth the effort as the top offers some truly spectacular views of the lakes and hills below.
A popular activity in Medellin for backpackers is the Medellin city walking tour. The tour guides are all locals and take you on a knowledgeable journey around Medellin's downtown. While the tour is completely free to attend, the guides usually accept any tips from attendees as payment. The tours run morning and afternoon on weekdays and once on Saturday and are extremely popular so you should definitely book a place in advance through the website. The meeting point for morning tours are at El Poblado Station and for afternoon tours, the Alpujarra station. While this activity is more popular amongst locals, why not spend an afternoon shopping in Medellin's mega-mall, where you will find big brands such as Zara, Forever 21 and H&M, as well as a great range of Colombian chains and high-end smaller boutiques. If you get peckish, there are also plenty of restaurants to grab some food to fuel your long day's shopping. For a fabulous night out in the city, head to Parque Lleras, located in the ritzy neighborhood of El Poblado. This great place to go out any night of the week welcomes a varied mix of locals and foreigners looking to let loose and have a good time. Around the park there are a great range of venues, from small salsa bars to bigger, mainstream clubs.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Medellin. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- City Tour Medellin for $63 details
- Tour Paragliding in Medellín. For $65 details
- Private half day Medellin tour: meet Fernando Botero´s 23 statues for $55 details
Medellin, Colombia
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.