Why Colombia is the most exciting backpacking destination in South America

Essential tips for travelling across Colombia on a budget

Colombia is one of the most exciting backpacking destinations and it’s the perfect place to start your South American adventure. As the only South American country to have Caribbean and Pacific coasts – it’s become a firm favourite of budget travellers in recent years.

Image by Pedro Szekely (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Boasting an exotic range of landscapes, cultures, and attractions, Colombia has long shaken off its drug cartel image and the only risk now is wanting to stay. If you're looking for turquoise seas, white beaches, Amazon safaris, jungle walks, mountain-trekking, and coffee plantations, then you'll love Colombia!

Image by Ashley Bayles (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Starting in Bogota you can experience a country rich in art, architecture, cuisine, and nature. From the capital, you can travel for one or two hours in almost any direction and find yourself in a unique landscape and climate.

Travel costs

Accommodation:

Hostels vary across the country, but it’s a budget friendly destination like most South American countries. It’s possible to get a dorm bed for around €10, but a double room will often cost just €20 so if there’s two of you, you can have a private room for no additional cost. Overall, the best value hostels fill up fast so try and book in advance.

Street Food:

Image by wEnDy (Flickr/Creative Commons)

There are no shortage of food options in Colombia, with gringo friendly vendors regularly selling hamburgers, pizzas and hot dogs to backpackers. If you prefer to go local, then check out our favourites:

Empanadas: Colombian empanadas are different from their Mexican and Argentinian counterparts. The Colombian version is made with a lush yellow exterior stuffed with meat and potato, and they make for an excellent budget snack, particularly during long bus trips.

Bandeja paisa: This popular meal typically includes rice, beans, fried plantain, arepa, fried egg, chorizo, and chicharron.

Sancocho de Gallina: This is a common chicken soup that is found throughout Colombia, although most regions will have their own version.

Transport: Colombia is a vast and diverse nation to travel across. With no train options, long-distance buses are your best option. If you’re travelling far, then internal flights are usually cheap so it’s always an option if you want to expand the purse strings a little.

Things to see and do in Colombia

Colombia’s “coffee axis” includes the towns of Armenia, Manizales and Pereira. Here you will discover balmy conditions, jungle vegetation and coffee plantations. Coffee-growing haciendas are opening their doors to budget travellers, and horseback rides and adventure activities can be combined with ‘coffee cupping’ sessions – wafting the beans and tasting their rich flavours for their unique aroma.

Other attractions

Image by Mario Chavez (Flickr/Creative Commons)

- Los Nevados National Park is home to snowy volcanic peaks, including Nevado Del Ruiz and Nevado del Tolima, and both offer amazing trekking opportunities.

- Catedral de Sal was built in an underground salt mine almost exclusively out of salt. The iconic structure is located in Zipaquira, which is about an hour north of Bogota.

- Tayrona National Park is situated along the Caribbean coast near Santa Marta. It's a beautiful coastline with stunning beaches. There is also a nearby native village which you can explore with a guide.

- Ciudad Perdida is Colombia’s lost city was ‘rediscovered’ in 1976 and was built 650 years before Peru’s Machu Picchu. This ancient city is hidden in the jungle in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which is a six-day hike from the nearest town. Trekking to this enchanting ruin is one of Colombia’s most celebrated pilgrimages for backpackers, but it's not easy so make sure you come prepared with the right equipment!

If you want to explore the exotic wonders of Colombia, then you can save big money by staying in a hostel. Sleep cheap with HostelsClub on your South American travels and make huge savings living the dream with a backpack.

*Header image by Jonas Witt (Flickr/Creative Commons)