Budget travel in Colombia: the updated 2025 guide because a lot of the content online is outdated.

Medellín: still the best budget city in Colombia but no longer the bargain it was in 2018. A hostel dorm in El Poblado (the tourist neighborhood) costs COP 35,000-55,000 ($9-14). El Poblado is expensive by Colombian standards; Los Laureles and Laureles-Estadio neighborhoods are cheaper and more local. Food from a local almuerzo restaurant (set lunch menu with soup, main, juice, and dessert): COP 12,000-18,000 ($3-4.50). Budget: $30-40/day.

Cartagena: significantly more expensive than the rest of Colombia, on par with parts of Western Europe for accommodation. The old walled city in July-August: $40-60/night for basic hostel dorms. Worth visiting for 2-3 days; budget accordingly. Daily average: $65-80.

Bogotá: underrated budget destination. La Candelaria (historic center) has cheap accommodation and extraordinary street art. Monserrate is a $2 cable car or free hike. The Museo del Oro is $4. Daily budget: $25-35.

Salento and the coffee region: Salento village itself is small and budget-friendly ($20-30/night guesthouses). The Valle de Cocora with the wax palms is a $5 round-trip jeep from town and a free 4-hour hike. Daily: $30-40.

Flights within Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena or Medellín often costs only slightly more than the 10+ hour bus and is worth the time on longer routes. Viva Air and LATAM compete aggressively on domestic routes.