Colombia is an upcoming  travel destination in South America. It has loads to offer from surfing and beaching to jungle trekking and mountains. And let’s not forget the cities of Bogota and Medellin with their impressive nightlife. But, how much does it cost to travel in Colombia? Mies and Tom from the Netherlands (whom I met in Indonesia 2 years ago) visited Colombia for 42 days during their big South America trip.  Take a look at their overview of costs of backpacking in Colombia and budget tips. 

This article is part of the Money Matters series in which we ask travelers to keep their expenses for Bunch of Backpackers. Real travelers, real expenses. 

COSTS 42-DAY COLOMBIA TRIP: 1800 EURO (2383 USD)

DAILY TRAVEL EXPENSES COLOMBIA*: 42 EURO (55 USD)

*These daily travel expenses are per one person per day.  Including all tours, domestic flights, souvenirs, lodging, food, drinks, entrance fees, tips etc. Excluding international flights.

Horse riding Colombia
Horse riding Colombia. ©Mies

EXAMPLES OF PRICES IN COLOMBIA:

These prices are per person unless stated otherwise.

Standard Colombia expenses

One night in a hostel dormitory: 7,8-9,8 euro (10,3- 13,0 USD).
One night in a hostel dormitory in a small village: 5,9-7,8 euro (7,8 – 10,3 USD)
One night in a double room in a simple guesthouse: 19,60-27,50 euro (20,6 – 36,4 USD)
A short 10-minute taxi ride: 2,75 euro (3,64 USD)
A bottle of water (0,5L) at the store: 0,39 euro (0,5 USD)
A local beer at a bar/restaurants: 0,98 – 1,96 euro (1,3 -2,6 USD) 
A glass of coca cola in a restaurant: 0,78-0,98 euro (1,0- 1,3 USD)
Basic lunch at a local restaurant: 3,9 euro (5,1 USD)
Dinner at a local restaurant: 3,9 – 7,8 euro (5,1-10,3 USD)

Notable Colombia expenses 

Costs 4-day Lost City track: 255 euro (337 USD)

Colombia
Colombia. ©Mies

SOME DETAILS ON THIS COLOMBIA BACKPACKING TRIP:

About the backpackers: Mies
Destination and travel period: Colombia in July 2014 for 42 days.
Visited places: San Augustin, Bogota, Medellin, Rio Claro, Guatape, San Gil, Minca, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Palamino, Costenio
Type of trip: Independently together with a friend
Accommodation*: budget (mainly hostels and guesthouses)
Transportation*: budget (cheapest available mode of transportation) 
Colombian food*: basic (cheap local eateries, streetfood, snacks). 

*4 options: basic, budget, standard and luxury

Colombia. ©Mies
Colombia. ©Mies

Colombia budget tips by Mies!

  • The menu of the day is always a bargain
  • Ask for a lower price on busses
  • Local transport is often cheap.
  • Look into flights because prices can be almost similar to busses
  • On a night out you can find all-in-one places so you can drink as much as you like for a fixed rate

Read this story from fellow traveler Claudia about staying on the San Blas islands.

Can you relate to these costs of backpacking in Colombia? 

Continue to the other articles of the Money Matters series!

4 COMMENTS

  1. Hey Guys If you’re going to San Gil I highly recommend Karla, is a girl in who helped us a lot in our stay there. She speak a good English, she was our guide and drove us where we need, and helped us in all that we needed like a accommodation, San Gil was much better that we thought thank to Karla. Her number is 3183928463

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