What budget for activities and outings Colombia?

Most of the museums are free or have low prices, in the order of the equivalent of 2 or 3 euros. Even the prestigious museums managed by the Banco de la República are free: Botero Museum and the regional Gold Museums in particular (the one in Bogotá is only free on Sundays, but its entrance fee is modest)

The prices of the archaeological sites and national parks are higher, but remain accessible, around $50-60,000 for the most expensive. The latter sometimes offer the possibility of coming for two consecutive days, as in the archaeological parks of Tierradentro and San Agustin. Colombians, or inhabitants of a region, often benefit from preferential rates, as do foreigners with a permanent residence permit in Colombia. Children under 2 or 3 years old do not usually pay. Children under 12 and adults over 60 also have preferential rates, as do students. In the national parks, people under 25, if they are nationals or residents, also get a discount. The rates for local guides vary greatly, but are still quite low by European standards. Do not hesitate to leave a tip

Colombians are very athletic. In the city, from early morning, they like to take care of their bodies: running, fitness rooms (most of them open at 6am), yoga, etc. In public parks, there are also often free access machines for exercise, and in the beautiful districts of the big cities, young people from the wealthy class come to sweat under the guidance of their personal trainer. Given the reasonable prices of activities, a trip to Colombia can be an opportunity to try paragliding (around San Gil, Medellín, Armenia...), kayaking and rafting (San Gil, Medellín, San Agustín...), diving (off Taganga, Cartagena, Capurgana, and on the Pacific side), or kite surfing (Cabo de la Vela, Santa Veronica, Lago Calima), but also to offer yourself a sweet massage in the shade of the palm trees!

For locally made products - leather shoes or bags, textiles marked Hecho en Colombia ("made in Colombia"), especially lingerie, handicrafts, jewelry made of gold, silver, emeralds...), prices are rather economical. On the other hand, for all imported products (wines, gourmet products, electronic devices, sun creams, etc.), the price level is quite high. The historical center of Cartagena is full of beautiful stores, but often more expensive than elsewhere. Regarding handicrafts, it is always more interesting to buy from the craftsman or in the city/region of production, than in the souvenir stores of the tourist cities, or even worse at the airport (as a last resort!)

Payment by credit card is accepted almost everywhere, but more rarely in artisanal markets and in small villages (bring cash, preferably in small denominations). When paying with a credit card, you can usually pay in one go(a contado) or in several times(a cuotas). You will be asked how many times you wish to pay(¿en cuantas cuotas?). Payment on credit is very developed and even encouraged by the banks that get rich with high interest rates. For example, it is possible to pay for your supermarket purchases in 36 monthly payments, or even 48!

Online payment is also becoming more and more widespread (the long confinement of 2020 has helped its development). MercadoLibre.com is the most popular online store, offering both new and used products at attractive prices, with fast and efficient home delivery. A safe site.

The night out is often the main expense of young mochileros (backpackers)! But if you stay reasonable, you can have a good night out for the equivalent of 20-30 euros maximum, between the entrance fees and the drinks. The cover (paid entrance) in the dancing bars and clubs is around 20 000 $ (5 euros), a little more in the trendy places. A local beer in a bar costs around $5-10,000, a little more if it is craft. A cocktail starts at $12,000 in a cheap beach bar, up to $30-50,000 in a cocktail bar (watch out for happy hours!).

What budget to eat Colombia?

In the markets(plazas de mercado) or popular restaurants, one eats for about $6-8,000 (about €2) for a meal with soup, dish of the day and a natural lemonade. In more upscale restaurants, thealmuerzo del día is around $15,000 and the a la carte dishes are around $25-30,000, which is still very reasonable. And for the equivalent of €20-30, you can really indulge in inventive recipes fusing Colombian and international flavors.

The dishes are always copious in Colombia, and it is often possible to ask for the leftovers to be packed if you do not finish your dish. It is also worth noting that hotels that do not have a restaurant sometimes allow meal delivery. In Colombia, the company Rappi dominates the delivery market , far ahead of Uber Eats and some others.

Drinks are cheap even in tourist places. On average, for a tinto or espresso, count on $4-5,000 in a café, a little more for a cappuccino. A large natural fruit juice(a jugo) is around $5-6,000. A local beer in a 330 ml bottle, about $5,000; almost double that for an imported or craft beer. Beer is rarely served on draught, but some establishments are slowly moving toward it, especially when they distribute craft beer.

What is the budget for accommodation Colombia?

In general, accommodation rates in Colombia are affordable compared to other destinations in the region. For those on a budget, a hammock or a dormitory bed is the best option (between $25,000 and $75,000). For a comfortable double room with private bathroom, you can expect to pay between $100,000 and $300,000. For luxury, there is no limit. Prices also vary greatly depending on the location. There are big differences between accommodations in the historic centers of Cartagena and Popayán, for example

In the classic hotels, the rates are given per room (single, double, triple, quadruple...) except for the all-inclusive establishments (full board, drinks, activities...), which are mostly found in San Andrés, or on the islands off Cartagena

Inhostels, prices are indicated either per room, when it is private (with or without private bathroom), or per person when you sleep in a dormitory. Breakfast is often included for private rooms, more rarely for dormitories, where you have to pay an extra $10-15,000

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but sometimes incur additional fees (around 5%). Prices are quoted in Colombian pesos, and less frequently in US dollars (except for the most expensive establishments, or some hostels). It is best to pay in pesos, as the exchange rate is rarely favorable when paying in dollars

Travel budget Colombia and cost of living

The cost of living in Colombia is very affordable for a European. Keep in mind that the minimum monthly salary (which many do not even reach) is 1 million pesos (about 230 euros). If you are traveling on a small budget (dormitory accommodation, a local breakfast, meals on the run or in the markets, public transportation, a few cab rides, museums and nightlife) count on the equivalent of 20-30 € per day. With a more comfortable budget (private room, meals in tourist restaurants, domestic flights or car rental, activities and excursions every day, guides, outings) plan on 40 to 80 €, based on two people. Beyond 150 € per day, you can really treat yourself (boutique hotel, gourmet restaurants, all-inclusive excursions, domestic flights or private drivers). Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia, along with the archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia, although it is always possible to travel economically (youth hostels, markets...)

Payment by credit card is common in tourist places but not in small towns or small businesses. Some establishments and agencies charge an additional fee (usually 5%) for payment by card. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) have been developed, but many tourist villages still do not have any, or only one, which is quickly emptied on weekends or breaks down... Withdrawals are generally limited to $300,000, but it depends on the bank. Most ATMs reject the card immediately, and ask you to hand it over, before asking for the secret code. For each foreign withdrawal with your card, unless there is a special option, a commission is retained by both the ATM bank and your bank.

Haggling(regateo). You can't haggle anywhere in Colombia. If you speak a little Spanish, you can ask for a discount in the low season, on buses or in some hotels. However, haggling is not an institution and is a matter of good judgment. It is not very smart to haggle with a craftsman who sells you his products directly, unless you buy a large quantity. In the markets, you can ask with a nice smile for a ñapa, which is a small gift in kind for the purchase of a certain quantity of products

Tip (propina). Outside of popular restaurants, it is customary to leave the waiter 10% of the bill. Some upscale or tourist establishments include gratuity in the bill. Tips are generally appreciated in hotel services (luggage handlers and receptionists in large hotels) and by guides

Taxes. The IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado), the equivalent of the French VAT, is 19%. Some everyday consumer goods benefit from an IVA of 5% (coffee, flour...) and others are exempt (meat, milk...). Since 2016, non-resident foreign tourists in Colombia enjoy an exemption from the IVA in hotels and certain tourist services registered in the National Tourism Registry (land tourist transport, travel agencies, guides...). All they need to do is present their passport with the entry stamp.