Travel Cost to Colombia: 3-Week Trip Budget Guide

If you’re considering a trip to Colombia but are uncertain about the costs involved, you’re not alone. Many travelers are intrigued by Colombia's vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, yet they often worry about the expenses. The good news is that exploring Colombia can be affordable if you plan wisely. In this guide, we will delve into the essential costs of traveling through Colombia for a three-week adventure, drawing from real-life experiences to provide you with a realistic travel budget.

Understanding flight costs to Colombia

For most travelers, the journey to Colombia begins with a flight. Depending on your departure location, flights can vary significantly in price. If you're traveling from Europe or North America, expect to pay between €600 and €700 for a round-trip ticket, especially if you book well in advance.

Colombia’s major airports, located in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, offer direct flights from various international destinations. Alternatively, you can find connecting flights to other cities like Cartagena and Pereira. A recommended itinerary for a three-week trip is to fly into Bogotá and out of Cartagena, allowing you to experience both the capital and the Caribbean coast. You can also explore the “multi-destination” option on flight search engines to optimize your travel route.

When searching for flights, Skyscanner is a reliable platform for comparing prices and finding the best deals.

› Average flight cost: €650

Transportation options within Colombia

Traveling within Colombia is facilitated by various means of transportation. During our travels, we primarily used three methods: internal flights, rental cars, and buses. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

Internal flights

• Flight from Bogotá to Pereira (Latam): €36
• Flight from Medellín to San Andrés (Viva Air): €43
• Flight from San Andrés to Cartagena (Latam): €39

We booked our internal flights via Skyscanner and spent a total of €118 per person on flights.

Bus travel

• Bus from Manizales to Medellín: €8.5

For bus schedules and reservations, we recommend using Redbus.

Renting a car

We opted to rent a car for five days to explore the stunning Coffee Region. The total cost was €220, which included a one-way fee and full insurance. We used the rental service “Localiza,” but you can compare prices with platforms like Discovercars.

One of the advantages of renting a car in Colombia is the low fuel cost, averaging about €0.50 per liter. We spent around €20 to €25 on gas during our road trip.

City transportation

In major cities, we frequently used Uber, which is both convenient and affordable. Alternatively, local metros and buses are available, typically costing about €0.50. For a typical 5 km Uber ride, expect to pay between €1.5 to €2.

› Average transportation cost: €275

Accommodation choices in Colombia

Accommodation costs in Colombia can vary widely depending on your preferences. You can find hostels and family-run hotels for around €10-15 per night or splurge on luxury hotels for over €100.

During our stay, we opted for a mix of Airbnb apartments and well-rated hotels, averaging €30 per night. This price point offers a comfortable balance of quality and cost.

› Average accommodation cost per person (for a double room): €315

Culinary delights and food costs

Colombian cuisine is both diverse and affordable, especially if you dine at local eateries. We found that “corrientazos”, which are daily set menus, offer delicious options at incredibly low prices (ranging from €2 to €4).

Here are some common prices for local dishes:

• Tamal: 8,000 COP (approximately €1.7)
• Sancocho: 28,000 COP (approximately €6)
• Empanadillas: 1,000 COP (approximately €0.20)
• Pizza Margherita: 15,000 COP (approximately €3)
• Poke: 26,000 COP (approximately €6)
• Bandeja Paisa: 15,000 COP (approximately €3)
• Arepa: 5,000 COP (approximately €1)

Many of these meals include refreshing beverages like natural juices or lemonade, often at no extra charge. For alcoholic drinks, cocktails typically cost between €4 to €5, while a beer ranges from €1.5 to €2.5.

› Average food cost for 21 days: €210

Activities and entrance fees

When it comes to activities, Colombia offers a wealth of free or low-cost experiences, especially in urban centers like Bogotá and Medellín. Engaging in free walking tours is highly recommended to get acquainted with the cities.

Here’s a selection of the best free tours available:

• Free tours in Bogotá
• Free tours in Medellín
• Free tours in Cartagena

For paid excursions, expect to pay between €20 and €40 for half-day to full-day tours, which can often be booked online or through local agencies. However, booking in advance is advisable during peak seasons to secure your spot.

Popular excursions include:

• Guatavita + Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral from Bogotá
• Guatapé + Boat Tour from Medellín
• Trekking in Cocora Valley
• Visit a Coffee Farm
• Thermal Springs of Santa Rosa de Cabal
• Tayrona National Park Tour from Santa Marta
• Rosario Islands Tour from Cartagena
• Cayos Tour in San Andrés

› Average activity cost: €150

The importance of travel insurance

While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly advisable for peace of mind during your adventures. We recommend the IATI Insurance, which offers comprehensive coverage at competitive rates. For those planning to partake in adventure activities such as snorkeling or trekking, the IATI Backpacker plan is ideal. For a three-week coverage period, expect to pay less than €100 with a 5% discount available.

⭐ For detailed information, check out our guide on the best travel insurance for Colombia.

› Average insurance cost: €100

Planning for miscellaneous expenses

Every traveler knows that unexpected expenses can arise during a trip, whether for personal purchases, souvenirs, or even a quick coffee in a cute café. It’s wise to allocate a portion of your budget for these extras.

So, how much should you budget for these unplanned costs? We typically set aside around €50, but this can vary depending on your spending habits.

› Average miscellaneous expenses: €50

Now that we have analyzed each aspect, let's summarize the estimated costs for a three-week trip to Colombia:

If you’re keen on reducing costs, you can save significantly by minimizing paid activities, opting for hostels or budget hotels, and focusing on local meals.

• Flights: €650
• Transportation: €100 (primarily by bus, with only flights to/from San Andrés)
• Accommodation: €210 (double room at €20 per night)
• Food: €100 (combining set menus and inexpensive meals)
• Activities: €50
• Miscellaneous: €30
• Travel Insurance: €100
• Total: €1,240

By following this budget guide, you can successfully embark on a memorable adventure to Colombia without breaking the bank. As you plan your trip, remember that with the right choices, you can enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer!

Follow our daily adventures in Colombia on our Instagram stories.

Is it safe to travel to Colombia? Our experience and tips

Where to Stay in Gili Trawangan at Martas Hotel