In our data, the cheapest Medellín stays rated 4.0 or higher start at about 15 to 19 euros a night for two guests (Rock Hostel, Purple Monkey Hostel, Bakú Laureles Hostel), and in Cartagena at about 20 euros (La Terraza de Estella, Casa Mamá Waldy, Pachamama Hostel).
Medellín is called the City of Eternal Spring, and the name fits: warm days, cool evenings, flowers on every balcony and a cable car that carries ordinary commuters over the hills. About an hour north by plane, Cartagena is a different world: a walled colonial town of pastel houses, hot afternoons and live music in the squares at night. Together they make one of the best value trips in South America.
The cheapest well-rated stays right now
We kept only places with a Google rating of at least 4.0. Prices are for two guests, 25 to 28 November 2026, read from Google Hotels on 21 October 2026, lowest price we found for that offer.
Medellín
| Hotel | From per night | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hostel Medellín | about 15 € | 4.3 (482 reviews) | 3 sites |
| Purple Monkey Hostel | about 18 € | 4.3 (342 reviews) | 3 sites |
| Bakú Laureles Hostel | about 19 € | 4.5 (204 reviews) | 4 sites |
| Selvática alojamiento Eco | about 20 € | 4.4 (264 reviews) | 2 sites |
Cartagena
| Hotel | From per night | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Terraza de Estella - Hostal | about 20 € | 4.4 (137 reviews) | 2 sites |
| Casa Mamá Waldy - Bar & Hostel | about 20 € | 4.0 (498 reviews) | 1 site |
| Pachamama Hostel | about 20 € | 4.2 (304 reviews) | 1 site |
| República Hostel Cartagena | about 24 € | 4.5 (1,000+ reviews) | 5 sites |
Good to know: The prices here are for two guests, so a dormitory bed for one person can be cheaper than the numbers above. Open the hotel page and check what the offer includes.
Why people love Colombia
- The people. Visitors often say that the warmth of the locals is what they remember most.
- The climate. Medellín has mild weather all year, and Cartagena has the Caribbean heat.
- The comeback. Medellín has changed a great deal in recent decades, and its public transport, parks and cultural spaces are part of what you see.
- Diversity. Mountains and coffee country, the Caribbean coast, colonial towns and big cities in one country.
What to experience
- Take a day trip to Guatapé: the colourful village by the reservoir and the climb up the big rock, with a view over the lake.
- Ride the Metrocable in Medellín for a view over the neighbourhoods.
- Try a bandeja paisa, the hearty regional plate, for lunch.
- Walk the walls of Cartagena at sunset, and find Getsemaní for street art and music.
- Take a boat trip from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands.
What does it cost?
We did not measure food prices ourselves. Cost guides for Medellín put a backpacker budget at roughly 30 to 40 US dollars a day, and hostel basics at roughly 7 to 10 dollars. Cartagena is generally reported to be more expensive than Medellín, especially inside the walled city. A set lunch (menú del día) at a local restaurant is usually much cheaper than a menu in a tourist square. Check prices before you order.
How to save even more
- Stay a few blocks outside the tourist centre: the cheapest stays in our data are in neighbourhoods such as Laureles.
- Compare total prices with taxes, see taxes and fees explained.
- Use free cancellation while your flights are not fixed.
Questions
Is Colombia cheap? Compared with Europe or the US, yes, but it costs more than Southeast Asia. In our data, rated stays start at about 15 to 20 euros a night.
Medellín or Cartagena? Medellín for weather, culture and day trips, Cartagena for a beach holiday and colonial streets. Many travellers combine both.
Are these prices permanent? No. They are a snapshot for late November 2026. Compare your own dates.