If you like to travel to tropical places, rich in history and culture, Colombia is the perfect choice for your next travel adventure. It is located just at the top west side of South America, bounded by Ecuador and Peru on the south, Brazil on the east, Venezuela on the north, and the Caribbean Sea on the west.
This country is one of the most incredible places in South America. The all-year-long warm, tropical weather plus beautiful beaches, amazing food, welcoming people, and “caliente” parties make Colombia a remarkable destination for travelers.
I explored the country in 2018 as a solo traveler and I can say that it exceeded my expectations. When I left, I was already making plans to come back because it was a blast. Thus, I believe everyone should have the chance to fall in love with Colombia too.
And that’s the reason I wanted to share my travel guide so you can also enjoy the best of Colombia, even if you’re on a low budget.
So, before showing you the 4 must-go cities, I want to share 3 essential tips to help you plan your trip to Colombia on a budget!
3 tips to plan your trip to Colombia on a budget
1- Go in low season
This is the key tip to pay less for a flight ticket, for the Hostal, and even for tourist attractions. Unfortunately, not everyone has the flexibility to travel when the prices are low, but if you can do it, being aware of the low season period is going to save you a lot of money.
The cheapest time to go to Colombia is from August to November and May too. Whereas the most demanded periods are June to August and December to January. Therefore, if you have the flexibility to choose and you are on a low budget, I would recommend planning your trip to Colombia in advance for the low season.
2- Stay at Hostels
Hostels are affordable establishments for accommodation with shared rooms that normally offer a lounge for travelers to socialize. It also generally sells cheaper meals than hotels and it even has a kitchen for those who want to save money with food when traveling.
Colombia cities have several spectacular Hostels, and I recommend them for every kind of traveler. It is a great choice, especially if you’re a solo traveler since it is the best alternative to socialize and make new friends.
3- Plan the itinerary in advance
Planning in advance is a smart strategy to save money I have learned throughout my experience as a traveler. It helps you stay within your budget the whole time and it allows you to enjoy the most of your trip.
If you are the kind of person who likes to see where life is going to take you, my advice about the itinerary plan is that you don’t think of it as a strict plan, but simply as a guide that you can adapt as you go.
When you define in advance what you want to see and do, research the prices, and set your priorities, you’ll be able to see and do everything you’ve planned. You also won’t be surprised by unexpected prices that can extrapolate your budget.
Now that you know how to plan an affordable trip to Colombia, let’s see the 5 cities you should include in your itinerary:
Bogota
Bogota is the capital of Colombia. Home of amazing restaurants and bars, you’ll also find a diverse range of cultural attractions to see, such as museums, La Candelaria (downtown), and the beautiful view from the hills of Cerro Monserrate.
>> Click here to check out a detailed Bogota travel guide!
Cartagena
You can’t leave Colombia without visiting the iconic Cartagena de Indias, a touristic city on the coast full of history, beautiful architecture, paradisiac beaches, and amazing restaurants.
>> Click here to check out a detailed Cartagena travel guide!
Medellin
The second-largest city in Colombia will charm you with its culture, history, nightlife, and beauty. You should plan at least 3 days to see the attractions in and around the city. From the museums to the parks and communities, you’ll not regret exploring this spectacular city!
>> Click here to check out a detailed Medellin travel guide!
San Andres
If you have not heard about San Andres before, brace yourself to see one of the most stunning islands in the world. Located in the middle of the Caribbean sea, San Andres is also known to own “el mar de los 7 colores” or “the sea of 7 colors.” Thus, it could not be different that San Andres is an island full of natural beauties and tourist attractions.
>> Click here to check out a detailed San Andres travel guide!
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is the ultimate party city in Colombia, but it also has lots of fun nature tourist adventures. Although there isn’t much to see in the city itself, Santa Marta has one of the best party hostels for backpackers in the country.
You can take tours to see the famous Tayrona National Park or explore the ancient indigenous city, Teyuna, also known as the Lost City. The beach hostels are also a great adventure itself!
>> Click here to check out a detailed Santa Marta travel guide!
Ready, set, go!
Ready to plan your trip to Colombia?
If you’ve already been there, comment below what you think of the cities, and feel free to recommend any other city I didn’t mention that is also worth going to!