Colombia operates with the Colombian peso as its official currency. Exchange rates fluctuate but generally range between 3,800 and 4,500 pesos per US dollar as of 2024. ATMs are widely available in cities and accept major international cards, though withdrawal limits typically range from 300,000 to 600,000 pesos per transaction, with fees between 15,000 and 25,000 pesos charged by local banks. Credit cards are accepted in mid-range and upper establishments in major cities, but cash remains essential for street vendors, rural areas, local transportation, and many accommodations outside tourist zones. Currency exchange houses called casas de cambio operate in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali, often offering better rates than airport exchanges, which typically charge 5-8% above the market rate. Banks such as Bancolombia, Banco de Bogotá, and Davivienda handle foreign currency exchange during business hours Monday through Friday, generally 9:00 to 16:00, with reduced hours or closures on national holidays.
Daily accommodation costs vary dramatically by location and season. Hostels in cities like Medellín, Bogotá, and Cali charge between 35,000 and 60,000 pesos for dormitory beds, while private rooms in the same establishments range from 80,000 to 150,000 pesos. Budget hotels in secondary cities like Popayán or Armenia typically charge 70,000 to 120,000 pesos for double rooms with private bathrooms. Mid-range hotels in Cartagena's historic center or the Zona Rosa in Bogotá cost between 200,000 and 400,000 pesos per night, with prices increasing 30-50% during peak tourist seasons from December through January and June through August. Guesthouses in small towns like Villa de Leyva or Salento offer rooms between 60,000 and 140,000 pesos. Eco-lodges near Tayrona National Natural Park charge 180,000 to 450,000 pesos depending on amenities and proximity to beaches. Homestays arranged through platforms or local contacts range from 50,000 to 100,000 pesos including breakfast in rural coffee-growing regions.
Food expenses depend entirely on eating patterns. A desayuno típico including arepas, eggs, and coffee at a neighborhood café costs 8,000 to 15,000 pesos. The almuerzo corriente or set lunch offered at comedores populares across Colombian cities includes soup, main course with rice, beans or lentils, salad, juice, and sometimes dessert for 12,000 to 18,000 pesos in Bogotá and 10,000 to 14,000 pesos in smaller cities. Street food such as empanadas costs 1,500 to 3,000 pesos each, while arepas de huevo on the Caribbean coast sell for 3,000 to 5,000 pesos. A bandeja paisa at a casual restaurant in Medellín costs 22,000 to 35,000 pesos. Mid-range restaurant meals in tourist areas like Cartagena's walled city range from 35,000 to 65,000 pesos per person without alcohol. Fresh fruit juices at market stalls cost 2,000 to 4,000 pesos. Supermarkets like Éxito, Carulla, and Olímpica sell groceries at lower prices than corner tiendas, with staples like rice, beans, pasta, and local vegetables costing significantly less than imported products. A week of groceries for basic self-catering typically costs 80,000 to 150,000 pesos per person.
Transportation costs vary by mode and distance. Urban bus systems in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla charge flat fares between 2,500 and 3,000 pesos per ride, paid through rechargeable cards purchased at stations. Bogotá's TransMilenio requires a Tullave card with a 5,000-peso deposit and minimum load of 3,000 pesos. Medellín's Metro charges 2,650 pesos for a single journey within the integrated system including metro, metrocable, and connecting buses. Taxis use meters in major cities with base fares around 5,000 pesos and per-kilometer rates of approximately 1,200 pesos, though rates increase 20-25% at night and on Sundays. Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Beat, and Didi operate in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, often costing 10-20% less than traditional taxis for equivalent trips. Intercity buses provide the primary long-distance transportation, with companies like Expreso Bolivariano, Copetran, and Berlinas operating modern coaches. A Bogotá to Medellín bus journey of approximately 9 hours costs 60,000 to 95,000 pesos depending on service level and advance booking. Cartagena to Santa Marta costs 35,000 to 50,000 pesos for the 4-hour trip. Cali to Popayán costs 25,000 to 35,000 pesos. Domestic flights on Avianca, LATAM, Viva Air, and Wingo range from 150,000 pesos for promotional fares on short routes to 500,000 pesos or more for last-minute bookings or longer distances like Bogotá to Leticia.
National park entrance fees follow standardized rates set by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia. Foreign visitors pay 60,000 to 70,000 pesos for entry to parks like Tayrona, while Colombian residents pay 25,000 to 30,000 pesos. Los Nevados National Natural Park charges 54,500 pesos for foreigners. Some parks include camping fees separately, with Tayrona charging an additional 18,000 pesos per person per night for designated camping areas. Museum admission in Bogotá ranges from free at certain institutions on Sundays to 5,000-20,000 pesos on regular days. The Gold Museum in Bogotá charges 5,000 pesos for adults and offers free admission on Sundays. The Botero Museum maintains free admission daily. Cartagena's San Felipe de Barajas Fortress charges 30,000 pesos for foreign visitors. Archaeological sites like San Agustín charge 30,000 pesos for foreign visitors to access the main park, with additional fees for satellite sites.
Guided activities carry distinct pricing structures. Day tours to the Coffee Cultural Landscape from Armenia or Pereira cost 120,000 to 200,000 pesos including transportation, farm visits, and lunch. Scuba diving on the Caribbean coast ranges from 180,000 to 250,000 pesos for two-tank dives for certified divers, with equipment rental adding 40,000 to 60,000 pesos if needed. Ciudad Perdida treks require mandatory guide services due to indigenous community regulations, with 4-day/3-night packages costing 950,000 to 1,250,000 pesos including guides, food, accommodation in camps, and park fees. Cocora Valley hiking can be done independently with a 7,000-peso entrance fee to the valley, while guided tours from Salento cost 60,000 to 90,000 pesos. Paragliding in San Gil costs 100,000 to 150,000 pesos for 15-20 minute flights. White-water rafting on the Río Suárez costs 80,000 to 120,000 pesos for half-day trips. Birdwatching tours with specialist guides in areas like San Agustín or the Magdalena River valley cost 250,000 to 400,000 pesos per day for private groups.