Traveling economically in Colombia is possible with good planning. Although it may seem that only people with resources can enjoy a vacation, there are strategies to stay within a budget without sacrificing a pleasurable experience.
In this blog we offer practical tips to balance comfort and costs during your stay in Colombia.
Note: All prices included are as of 2024.
Tips to find affordable transportation in Colombia
Transportation is one of the most important aspects of your trip.
In Colombia, there are two main ways to travel economically: by land and by air.
How to Travel Cheaply by Land
Use Public Transportation
Bus Companies: Bolivariano, Brasilia, Copetrán, and Rápido Ochoa are the most popular bus companies that will take you across the country. For longer or overnight trips, you can choose the premium class, where you’ll enjoy movies, WiFi, USB ports, and music. The other classes are more basic but equally functional.
Buying Tickets: Use Pinbus, a very handy platform where you can compare prices and take advantage of loyalty discounts or first-time purchase offers.
Within the City: Use collective buses with fixed fares, depending on the city (starting from $3,100 COP / $0.79 USD). They might be crowded and a bit slow, but they’re cheap and save you a lot.
Mototaxis: A cheaper alternative to regular taxis. They’re fast and affordable, but remember they can be less safe, so use them with caution.
Public Transportation in Bogotá
Transmilenio: The heart of Bogotá’s transportation system. It’s a system of articulated buses with exclusive lanes.
- To use it, you need to buy a TuLlave card for $8,000 COP ($2.05 USD) and load it with the fares you need. Each ticket costs from $2,950 COP ($0.76 USD), and you can transfer between different routes as many times as you want.
SITP: The second most-used public transport in Bogotá, consisting of bus routes that reach more specific points in the city.
- You need the same card as for Transmilenio. The ticket fare also starts from $2,950 COP ($0.76 USD), and you can transfer only between these buses within a period.
However, here you can check the SITP and Transmilenio fares.
Considerations: Both SITP and Transmilenio can get very crowded, especially during peak hours, making your trip a bit uncomfortable. Plan with some buffer time to avoid the crowds.
Public Transportation in Medellín
If you decide to visit Medellín, also known as the city of eternal spring, a great option is to use the metro, which has 76 stations:
- 27 train stations
- 1 cable car station
- 9 tram stations (6 stops)
- 28 rapid transit bus stations (lines 1, 2, and O, with 8 stops)
Ticket prices vary:
- General fare: from $3,200 COP ($0.82 USD)
- Seniors: from $2,900 COP ($0.74 USD)
- Students: $1,300 COP ($0.33 USD)
Civic Card
This card lets you pay for transportation and other commercial services. It’s very useful.
Types of Civic Card:
- Personal Card: Ideal for frequent users, students, seniors, and people with disabilities. It’s free.
- Occasional Card: For visitors or sporadic users, costing from $10,000 COP ($2.54 USD).
You can easily reload your card at any station and enjoy the Medellín metro system without hassle.
Public Transportation in Cali
The most popular public transport in Cali is the MIO (Masivo Integrado de Occidente), a rapid transit bus system. It’s like another version of Bogotá’s Transmilenio but with blue buses instead of red.
Cali also has a cable car system called MioCable, which complements the transport network and is especially useful for connecting areas with difficult access due to the city’s mountainous and valley terrain.
- How to Use It: Like Transmilenio, you need to buy a smart card, the MIO univiaje, at the stations. The card costs between $6,000 and $10,000 COP ($1.52 – $2.54 USD).
- Fare: Each ticket costs from $2,900 COP ($0.74 USD), and you can make as many transfers as you need and use MioCable.
Public Transportation in Cartagena
Like MIO in Cali, the Metro in Medellín, and Transmilenio in Bogotá, the TransCaribe public bus system is the most popular in Cartagena.
These buses look like accordion buses from Transmilenio and MIO, but here they appear much more modern.
How to Use It:
- Get a TransCaribe Card: You can buy it at stations or authorized points from $9,000 COP ($2.29 USD).
- Load Your Card: You can load it with any amount, from a hundred pesos to a hundred thousand pesos. Ticket fares start from $3,000 COP ($0.76 USD).
- Validate Your Card: When boarding the bus or entering a station, simply pass your card through the validators.
- Transfer if Necessary: You can make transfers on trunk, feeder, pre-trunk, and complementary routes in one direction, with a maximum transfer time of 30 minutes.
Rent a Bike for a City Tour
Fortunately, in several Colombian cities, both local and foreign tourists can rent bikes thanks to public initiatives.
- Medellín – EnCicla: This public bike system promotes biking as a sustainable transport method for getting around Medellín. It’s an initiative by the Metropolitan Area of Aburrá Valley, encouraging sustainable mobility. The company has over 103 stations and 114,000 users. Register easily on their website.
- Bogotá – Tembici: This bike-sharing system allows you to rent bikes via a mobile app (iOS and Android) and choose from various payment plans. The process is simple: download the app, create an account, select a plan, and unlock a bike at one of the 300 stations using a QR code or a proximity card. More info is available on their official site.
- Cali – Biciestación: A free bike rental service. Just register online and use the available bikes at multiple stations in the city, with a 45-minute use limit. Accessible to residents and tourists over 16. They also offer technical assistance through “Bike Doctors,” who will help you.
Hitchhiking
Due to its violent past, there’s a paradigm that hitchhiking in Colombia is dangerous.
- Safety Improvements: Since the 2016 peace agreement between the government and the FARC, Colombian roads are safer. Although some drivers are still cautious, hitchhiking is no longer as complicated as it used to be. However, it’s not very common.
Practical Tips:
- Always ensure the roads are in good condition and be aware of possible protests or road closures that might affect your route, especially in rural areas.
- Safety comes first, so keep your eyes open and take precautions regarding whoever gives you a ride.
Find Rides Through Social Media or Websites
Join social media groups or use apps like Wheels or Transportarme to connect with drivers going in the same direction and share transportation. It’s cheaper and more personalized.
- Wheels: Started in Bogotá and now covers all of Colombia. This app works like a social network for ride-sharing, offering a practical way to get from one place to another.
- Transportarme: This carpooling service is quite safe, requiring the driver to leave their details and those of the vehicle before the trip.
Traveling this way can save you up to 75% compared to intermunicipal public transport. Plus, you’ll enjoy more comfortable seats and a less congested journey. These rides usually make fewer stops than intermunicipal buses and help reduce CO2 emissions by having more people travel in one vehicle.
Note: Always ask about transportation prices in advance (applies to any product or service) and inform yourself well because sometimes people tend to charge exaggerated prices to tourists.
How to Travel Cheaply by Air
Look for Flights in the Low Season
Prices skyrocket during:
- Weekends
- Holidays
- December to January
- June to July
- Also, avoid big events like the Barranquilla Carnival or some of Colombia’s major festivals.
Buy in Advance: Plan your trip in advance. For local flights, it’s best to buy your tickets 3 to 4 weeks ahead. For international flights, Skyscanner suggests booking two months in advance to secure the best prices.
Less Recommended Days to Buy: Weekends or Friday nights are when everyone searches and buys, driving prices up.
Choose an Airline That Fits Your Needs
Low-Cost Airlines in Colombia: Options include Clic, Wingo, and Satena. These airlines offer lower fares by sacrificing some services.
- For example, in Satena, if you exceed 15 kg of cabin luggage, you pay extra.
- In Wingo, you also pay for extras like meals and personal seat selection. But well, you get what you pay for.
- Generally, these airlines only allow a small cabin bag.
When to Choose Them: Ideal if you’re traveling light and don’t mind forgoing some luxuries. Perfect for quick transfers between cities, lasting only 30 to 40 minutes.
Alternatives for More Comfort: If comfort is your priority and you need to carry more luggage or enjoy all these additional services, airlines like Avianca and Latam might be more suitable.
Important: They often offer special deals that could be more economical considering the included services, so keep an eye out.
Activate Website Alerts for Cheap Travel
Here are two tips that will help you a lot:
- Use Flight Search Engines: Platforms like One Travel not only compare prices from different airlines in one place but also show you the cheapest days to fly in the chosen month. This saves you the trouble of checking each airline individually.
- Activate Alerts: These search engines send you alerts when prices drop or rise. Google Flights, for example, shows you fares, available airlines, and indicates the best time to buy your ticket.
Tips for Finding Cheap Accommodations
Stay in Hostels
Staying in hostels has its advantages. Here are three reasons why:
Social Environment:
Most hostels have common areas and kitchens where you can meet and share experiences with other travelers.
Choose between shared rooms if you are on a tight budget or if not, you can choose a private room for more peace and quiet.
Amenities and Activities:
Many hostels offer terraces, bars, pools, and board games.
Strategic Locations:
You have easier access to services. For example, some hostels are close to pharmacies, supermarkets and much more commerce. And if that’s not enough, most have good connections to public transportation.
Go Camping!
If you want to explore new places and embark on an adventurous experience across Colombia, camping is your best option. It’s ideal for connecting with nature, admiring daytime landscapes and starry night skies, and saving on accommodation.
Recommended Camping Spots:
- Tayrona National Natural Park: With 14 incredible beaches located beside the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, offering beautiful views and wildlife spotting.
- Laguna de Tota: A paradise for travelers with its blue waters and white sand resembling a beach, surrounded by onion and potato crops in Boyacá.
- Chingaza National Natural Park: Known for its frailejones and lagoons, perfect for hiking and ecological walks.
For more parks to explore, check out our blog on Colombia’s national natural parks you should visit.
Note: Always ask about prices in advance and gather information to avoid being overcharged. In Colombia, some good deals may not be online yet, so asking locals for affordable and quality recommendations is a good strategy.
Tips for Eating Well While Traveling on a Budget
One of the most exciting moments of your trip is tasting the local cuisine. Visiting Colombia without trying the local dishes would be a missed opportunity.
Often, we think that tasting typical foods requires spending a lot of money. However, there are always alternatives to enjoy ajiaco, bandeja paisa, empanadas, and arepas without breaking the bank.
Look for the Daily Menu in Restaurants and Experience Traditional Flavors
The daily menu, known locally as “corrientazo,” includes all the essentials:
- Protein: Choose from beef, chicken, or pork (fish is slightly more expensive).
- Soup
- Carbohydrates: Rice, potatoes, plantains, or yuca.
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, or chickpeas.
- Natural Juices
You can find these menus on a board at the entrance of many restaurants, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 COP (approximately $2.54 to $3.82 USD).
Avoid Tourist Areas for Meals
Restaurants in tourist areas and airports tend to have much higher prices. A simple dish can cost double or triple compared to a “corrientazo” in a regular neighborhood in Bogotá or other cities.
Where to Eat Cheaply
Even in expensive neighborhoods, there are always affordable options. Look for local shops or small establishments where prices are more reasonable, and the food is homemade.
Find Accommodations with a Kitchen
You can prepare your own meals, which is perfect for saving money and eating exactly how you like. With just a few ingredients from hard discount supermarkets like D1 or Ara, you can save quite a bit.
Take Advantage of Local Markets
Local markets are where Colombians usually have lunch, as they offer a variety of typical Colombian food.
Local Markets in Bogotá
- Plaza de la Perseverancia: Here you’ll find typical regional dishes and a huge variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Plaza de la Concordia: Make sure to try the ajiaco, mojarra, and churrasco.
- Explore the Historic Center: Join a free gastronomic tour of Bogotá and enjoy empanadas, arepas, and almojábanas. Sample a variety of exotic fruits and make your own juice.
Local Markets in Medellín
- Mercado del Río: Inspired by famous international markets like Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid and Chelsea Market in New York. Here, you’ll find culinary options for all tastes and budgets, from Spanish tapas to traditional bandejas paisas.
- La Placita de Flórez: One of the city’s oldest markets, founded in 1891. It offers a wide variety of products, from regional fruits and vegetables to flowers, meats, and fish.
Local Markets in Cartagena
- Mercado de Bazurto: Known for its rich cultural experience, with a variety of smells, flavors, and local products from the entire Colombian coast, all in one place.
Local Markets in Cali
- Mercado Alameda: The Alameda gallery is a beautiful market with fresh products at excellent prices. Here, you’ll find all the typical food of the Colombian Pacific, surrounded by bars, cafes, and green areas.
Tips for Budget-Friendly Tourist Activities
Book Free or Low-Cost Tours
Free tours usually expect a tip at the end. The amount is up to you, based on how much you enjoyed the tour, the quality of the information, and your budget.
There are many options to choose from based on your interests:
- Gastronomic Tour in Bogotá: Enjoy a walking tour through the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, tasting over 15 flavors of Colombia, including exotic fruits, Colombian coffee, typical desserts, and traditional dishes.
- Walking and Biking Tours in Cartagena: Explore Cartagena’s Historic Center and Getsemaní neighborhood, discovering the blend of European and African cultures and colonial architecture.
- Cultural Tour in Cali: Explore the city’s culture, from its cuisine and urban art to tastings at the local Alameda market and salsa scene.
- Graffiti Tour in Medellín: Learn about the history and culture of Comuna 13 through colorful graffiti, understanding the impact of art on the community.
These are some of the benefits of taking a free tour of the city:
- You will be able to save time since they are tours organized by experts to offer an optimal and complete tour to discover the most important of the place in 2 or 3 hours.
- In most of the tours you can choose your preferred language, so you will not miss any detail of the information provided by the guides.
Free or Low-Cost Attractions
Museums: Many museums in Colombia offer free access on specific days of the month, such as the last Sundays at the National Museum of Colombia and the Historical Military Museum in Cartagena.
Cultural Events: Don’t miss free events like Rock al Parque, Salsa al Parque, and Hip Hop al Parque in the capital if you love music.
Urban Parks: Bogotá has over 24 parks, including Simon Bolívar Park and Park of the Lovers, where you can have picnics, play sports, and enjoy a relaxing day with friends or family at no cost.
Other Tips for Budget Travel
Volunteer in Colombia
Colombia boasts impressive natural and cultural wealth but also faces challenges like violence and poverty. Volunteering offers a chance to help vulnerable communities and make a real difference.
Volunteering Opportunities
Organizations like Aiesec and Adventure Volunteer offer programs in areas such as the environment, culture, education, and animal ethics.
Varied Activities: You can organize activities for children, help build houses, and more, depending on the program you choose.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Flexibility: Organize your time based on your availability and activity schedules.
- Save on Accommodation: Some foundations offer free accommodation and meals. For instance, a Pelecanus employee received free lodging while teaching languages to children with Aiesec.
Interested? Here are some general requirements for volunteering in Colombia:
- Obtain a V Volunteer or Cooperative Visa.
- Be at least 18 years old (some NGOs accept volunteers up to 55).
- Ability to work in a team.
- Be participative and committed.
- Respect collaborators and the community.
- Adaptability.
- Intermediate to high level of Spanish.
- Show motivation, passion, initiative, and a keen interest in learning.
