Not everyone has the funds to spare for a lavish hotel at one of the most popular locations around the world. You may want to travel in style, but everyone has a budget and by the end of the trip, you don’t want to find yourself skipping meals or tours just to survive.
Want to have the best experience and ensure it is easy on the pocket? Here are a few clever ways you can save money while you are touring through Colombia;
Table of Contents
Tip #1: Eat Corrientazo, Like the Locals!
“What’s corrientazo,” you may ask. Well, in simple words, it is a very cheap, traditional lunch prepared by the locals in Colombia. While visiting the many different regions and enjoying the culture, one way you could enhance your experience is through local cuisine.
Local cuisine is also way cheaper than what you will normally be served in high-end restaurants. The more you invest in your food during your journey, the less you will have for the rest of the experiences.
A typical corrientazo meal is pretty filling if you want to go for it. They will usually start you off with fruit or a soup as well as a small cup of fresh juice. This will be topped up with the main course where you get some rice, meat (beef, pork, or chicken), as well as beans, and a small salad. While the average western meal costs around $7.50, this will set you back by only $3.50.
Tip #2: Use Public Transport
A trip to Colombia doesn’t just have to be about visiting all the sites and letting a guide speak to you about the history. Although this is also pleasant at times, the most authentic experiences are often when you interact with or live among the locals.
One great way to interact with the locals as well as save transport costs is to use the public transport as much as you can. If you’re visiting Bogotá for example, you can rely on the TransMilenio. These are long, red buses that roam around the city in designated lanes.
We suggest you purchase a TransMilenio card to save yourself the hassle of standing in line for a ticket. A typical ride will cost you around 75 cents but you might need to map out your route for yourself!
Tip #3: Get Out in Nature for Free
Instead of booking everything you can get your hands on, try to keep that itinerary flexible and relaxed. Dedicate a few days to exploring nature for yourself. It’s free!
Most of Colombia’s national parks allow you entry with a minimal token entrance fee. Here you can walk through the breathtaking Andean peaks, lush-green hills, and pristine, white beaches. You could also access a guide for some of the most popular treks such as the Lost City Trek and explore the essence of Colombia with minimal cost.
Pro Tip: Hire affordable Colombia tours and let them plan out your itinerary, communicating your budget and your goals from the trip. This allows you to save on every aspect without having to plan everything yourself!
Tip #4: Take Advantage of Grocery Stores
You can plan ahead to choose a hotel with a communal kitchen and take advantage of the local Colombian food market to buy groceries and cook some of your food. Since food prices are high, and finding food you’re used to can put a big hole in your pocket, why not cook your own meals?
The local food market offers fruits and vegetables at affordable rates and the money you save can be invested in more travel to exciting new cities within the region. If you are specifically looking to enjoy the local market don’t forget to visit the Plaza Minorista José María Villa in Medellín or Plaza de Mercado Paloquemao in Bogotá.
Tip #5: The Same Fun at Half the Price
If you love exploring the night life at different locations around the globe, you wouldn’t want to miss it in Colombia. Let us assure you that you can still have the same fun without breaking the bank.
Instead of exploring the most posh bars, mingle with the locals and buy beer at small shops around town (it will only cost you around $1.50 per can).
You can still spend a night or two dancing at an upscale bar, but if you want to save money, it’s good to have multiple options.
Ready to Go?
Now that you have all these amazing budget-friendly tips under your sleeve, it’s time to pack those bags and get that itinerary ready. Make sure you plan that holiday during off-peak times so you get to enjoy all the benefits without the expensive price tag!