Is Colombia expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Colombia is affordable by European or North American standards, and cheaper than Chile or Brazil, though Cartagena is noticeably pricier than the rest of the country. A budget traveller can manage on about COP 220,000 (roughly €48) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about COP 480,000 and comfort about COP 1,050,000. Domestic flights are often the biggest single expense.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | COP70,000 | COP160,000 | COP450,000 |
| Food & drink | COP60,000 | COP120,000 | COP250,000 |
| Sights & tickets | COP30,000 | COP80,000 | COP150,000 |
| Local transport | COP60,000 | COP120,000 | COP200,000 |
| Per person, per day | COP220,000 | COP480,000 | COP1,050,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Colombia day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Medellin metro fare | about COP 3,500 |
| Gold Museum, Bogota | a few thousand pesos (free on Sundays) |
| Monserrate cable car return | about COP 30,000-35,000 |
| Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira (foreigners) | roughly COP 100,000-120,000 |
| Comuna 13 guided tour | about COP 60,000-100,000 |
| El Penol climb | about COP 25,000-30,000 |
| Domestic flight booked ahead | often COP 150,000-400,000 one way |
| Hostel or guesthouse double | COP 120,000-220,000 a night |
| Boutique hotel in Cartagena's walled city | COP 800,000-2,000,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation and transport between regions are the main costs. Rooms are cheap in Medellin's Laureles, Salento or Bogota's La Candelaria, but Cartagena's walled city is several times pricier. Flights between Bogota, Medellin, the Coffee Region and Cartagena cost COP 150,000-400,000 each, plus baggage fees on low-cost airlines. Daily food is cheap if you eat set lunches, and many sights cost little.
When it is cheaper
Prices are lowest from February to June and September to November, outside the Christmas-New Year, Easter and mid-year school holidays; Cartagena hotels can cost roughly 30-50% less than at Christmas.
How to spend less
- Eat the set lunch (almuerzo or corrientazo) with soup, main and juice, the best value everywhere.
- Book domestic flights early and travel with a small bag to avoid low-cost baggage fees.
- Use free and tip-based walking tours in Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena.
- Take buses for short legs such as Medellin-Guatape or Pereira-Salento.
- Stay in Getsemani instead of the walled city in Cartagena.
- Visit Bogota's Gold Museum on Sunday, when it is free.
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Common questions
Is Colombia expensive to travel?
No. A budget traveller spends about COP 220,000 (roughly €48) a day, mid-range about COP 480,000. Cartagena is the most expensive place.
How much are domestic flights in Colombia?
Often COP 150,000-400,000 one way when booked ahead, plus baggage fees on low-cost airlines.
Is Cartagena more expensive than the rest of Colombia?
Yes. Hotels in the walled city cost COP 800,000-2,000,000 a night; Getsemani is cheaper.