Daily costs per person in US dollars. Medellín is excellent value — budget travellers can live well on $25-40 per day, while mid-range comfort with dining and activities runs $50-80.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: COP (Colombian Peso) (Cards widely accepted)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $7–15 | $20–50 | $80+ | Hostel dorms → Airbnb → boutique hotels |
| Food | $5–10 | $10–25 | $35+ | Street food → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | $2–4 | $5–10 | $15+ | Metro → Uber → private taxi |
| Activities | $3–10 | $10–30 | $50+ | Free tours → group activities → private guides |
| Nightlife | $5–10 | $15–30 | $50+ | Local bars → clubs → rooftop cocktails |
| Daily Total | $25–60 | $65–160 | $250+ | Budget backpacker → comfortable mid → luxury |
Money-saving tips
Stay in Laureles over El Poblado
Laureles hostels and Airbnbs are 30-50% cheaper than El Poblado with a more local atmosphere. The metro connects both neighbourhoods easily and Laureles has excellent nightlife and food.
Use the metro and MetroCable
Medellín's metro system is excellent, cheap (2,950 COP per trip), and covers the main sights including the cable cars to Santo Domingo and Arví. A Cívica card saves time and money.
Eat set lunches (almuerzo corriente)
Restaurants and comedores across the city offer set lunches — soup, rice, beans, meat, salad, and juice — for 10,000-15,000 COP. This is the best value meal in Colombia.
Take free walking tours
Free walking tours in Comuna 13, downtown, and El Poblado run daily and are excellent quality. Tip based guides 20,000-40,000 COP — still cheaper than paid tours.
Drink local beer and aguardiente
Pilsen, Águila, and Póker beers cost 4,000-6,000 COP — a fraction of imported beer prices. Aguardiente (anise spirit) is Colombia's national drink and absurdly cheap.
Book Guatapé independently
Organised day tours to Guatapé cost 120,000-200,000 COP. Taking the public bus (15,000 COP each way) and paying entry independently costs less than half.
