world66
- HomeBudget Travel Ideas [edit]
Sections
DestinationsWorld> South America> Colombia> Budget Travel Ideas
Hostelling International Membership Cards Save Money
Having a Hostelling International membership card (also known as a HI card), allows you to save money all around Colombia with flights, accommodations, restaurants, bars, and some shops. It is best that one applies for a HI card in the local office at one's country of origin rather than after arriving to Colombia because one will be able to check out lower prices for airline tickets to Colombia. The membership cards are quite affordable with prices ranging between $10 to $30 for an annual membership, depending on what kind of membership one applies for. Holders of valid student IDs (any education level) should present them at the time of applying for a HI card because they will receive special discounts.
Staying at Hostels in Colombia
Holders of a HI card will have access to discounted prices at 20 different hostel around Colombia. Participating hostels in the Hostelling International program are located in Bogota, Armenia, Cartagena, Medellin, Montenegro, Paipa, Isla Providencia, Antioquia, San Agustin, Santa Marta and Villaciencio. Most hostels can be booked through the Hostelling International website, however some hostels may only accept reservations via telephone. The country code for dialing to Colombia is 57.
Once you check in at your hostel, make sure to ask the reception desk for a local version of the booklet that indicates the restaurants, bars, shops and nightclubs that offer discounts to HI card holders. Most places will be within walking distance of your hostel, but there will be some others that will require to travel a bit.
Getting Around Colombia on a Budget
Just like in any other South American big metropolis, the cities of Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin have extreme traffic during the morning and late afternoon rush hours as Colombians are driving either to or back from work. Traveling by bus and taxi allows one to skip most of the traffic.
Taxi drivers are especially keen on taking side streets and short cuts to get you faster to your destination because they prefer to make their money on amount of trips not on the length of trips. When taking a taxi make sure that the driver resets the meter and that he starts it once he knows your destination, not before. Don't hesitate to be assertive. However, be aware that when you take a taxi late at night after clubbing, most taxi drivers will not use their meters but try to negotiate the rate with you. Be prepared to negotiate a reasonable rate by asking locals or the hostel desk for taxi prices between certain destinations.
Finally, if you're planning to take the bus, don't carry large amounts of money, wear flashy or expensive jewelry or try to aboard the bus with large, heavy suitcases. During rush hours, the buses can get really crowded and there will be little personal space. Colombians are comfortable with much smaller personal space than North Americans and Europeans so be aware of this. If you're not comfortable with little personal space, use a taxi instead during rush hours.
