Money and connectivity

VisitMedellín lists its shared coffee farm tour (San Sebastián de Palmitas) from COP 269,000 and the shared Jardín day trip from COP 158,000; both listings state an 80% refund if cancelled at least 72 hours ahead.

VisitMedellín lists a private Guatapé tour with lunch, boat and motorbike chiva (motochiva) from 255,000 COP (listed range 255,000-891,000 COP) and a private Salto del Buey tour from 395,000 COP (listed range 395,000-1,483,000 COP).

Comfenalco's 2026 plans at Hotel y Parque Ecológico Piedras Blancas range from about 51,100 to 731,000 COP depending on plan, affiliation category (A, B, C or non-affiliate), age group and season; rates are valid 1 January to 31 December 2026.

Casa Rosé Hotel advertises a ceramic route (about 9 hours, lunch included) at 184,000 COP per person and a 2-hour potter workshop at 133,000 COP per person.

VisitMedellin lists shared 12-hour day tours to Jardin and to Jerico from COP 158,000 per adult, operated in Spanish by Turismo en Medellin; cancellation 72 hours or more ahead returns 80% of payment, later cancellations are not refunded.

Rough Guides says to expect to pay roughly US$50-100 a night for 3 or 4-star hotels in Medellin, and notes Laureles is often cheaper and quieter than El Poblado.

Lonely Planet's daily-cost list for Colombia gives a hostel dorm bed at US$10-25, a basic room for two at US$20-50 and a self-catering apartment from US$30.

Time Out's 2026 nightlife survey ranked Medellin the second-cheapest destination for nightlife among the cities surveyed, with a 67 percent affordability score.

Travelers must declare currency above USD 10,000 equivalent to the Colombian National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN).

The UK FCDO advises using ATMs during business hours so you can go inside a bank, supermarket or shopping centre.

The currency is the Colombian peso (COP), with notes of 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 pesos. Medellin has banks across the city and 24-hour ATMs, most accepting international cards. Exchange houses are found at airports, mostly in shopping centres, and in busier tourist neighbourhoods such as Laureles, El Poblado, the Centro and Envigado.

Canada states credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Colombia, while ATMs may be limited in rural areas.

A 10% tip (propina) is often added to the restaurant bill and is optional. Tipping for other services is not common, though leaving something for good service is a kind gesture.

Since 2 February 2026 the Alcaldía's set taxi fare to José María Córdova airport is COP 132,000 for a basic taxi, COP 134,100 for an electric taxi and COP 143,100 for a luxury taxi.

For basic taxis from 2 February 2026: flag-fall COP 5,900, minimum fare COP 8,300, COP 200 per 82 metres, waiting COP 300 per 60 seconds and COP 35,800 per contracted hour.

Metro de Medellín lists fares for integrations 1 to 4 as COP 3,820 frequent, 3,330 senior, 1,600 student, 2,720 disability profile and 4,400 for bearer and eventual cards. The table covers Metro lines A and B, Metrocable lines H, J, K, M and P, Tranvía T, bus lines 1, 2 and O, and feeder routes; the Cable Arví (line L) has a separate tariff.

For the bearer and eventual card, Metro lists COP 5,150 for integrations 5 to 7, COP 5,900 for integration 8 and COP 6,650 for integrations 9 and 10.

The Metro fare increase took effect Saturday 10 January 2026; the frequent-user fare rose from COP 3,430 to COP 3,820 and the occasional fare is COP 4,400.

Metro lists Cable Arví fares of COP 26,700 for foreigners and general users (bearer or eventual card), COP 11,900 for nationals or personalised Cívica, and COP 3,900 for estratos 1-3, under Resolución 0008 of 9 January 2026.

Banco de la República states that since 1991 Colombia has had no official exchange rate: the price is set by supply and demand, and the Superintendencia Financiera calculates and certifies the TRM only as a reference rate, not one that must be applied in contracts.

Banco de la República publishes TRM and other exchange-rate series in its Estadísticas section (Tasas de cambio); since 1 Nov 2016 it takes the TRM from the Superintendencia Financiera, and weighted buy/sell averages exist on its site only up to 31 Oct 2016.

Banco de la República's circulating banknotes page shows the current family in COP 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000, with older 1,000-peso and commemorative notes still in circulation.

Medellín CVB says the peso has notes of 1,000 to 100,000 and coins of 50 to 1,000, that the 50,000 and 100,000 notes are hard to use for small purchases in informal places or on the street, and that cash is much more common than cards, which work in hotels, supermarkets, malls and restaurants.

Medellín CVB says exchange offices are found at airports, in shopping centres, and in Laureles, El Poblado, the city centre and Envigado.

Medellín CVB says banks and 24-hour ATMs are found throughout the city, most accept international cards, restaurants and shops generally take cash and cards, mobile payment apps are widely used, and cash is advisable for street vendors and traditional markets.

Frommer's advises withdrawing from ATMs rather than exchanging at banks (banks can charge a hefty fee; ATMs give the most up-to-date rate), using ATMs inside a building, spreading large cash sums across pockets, and refusing help from strangers at a machine. The page is undated and some figures and institutions on it are obsolete.

Medellín CVB says travelers can enter Colombia with up to USD 10,000 or equivalent without declaring it; larger amounts require the Baggage and Money Declaration Form.

Banco de la República reported on 13 April 2026 that Bre-B, Colombia's interoperable instant-payment system, had more than 34 million registered users (individuals and businesses) after six months of operation, which began on 6 October 2025.

US page lists "$10,000 USD maximum" for currency on entry and "$10,000 USD maximum" on exit from Colombia.

Canada states Canadian travellers "must pay an entry fee upon arrival in Colombia" (exempt: destination San Andrés/Providencia/Santa Catalina, valid Colombian visa, under 14 or over 79, crew). Colombia's Resolución 0599 of 10 Feb 2026 (Diario Oficial 53.402, 18 Feb 2026) sets "control y verificación migratoria en el sistema platinum a ciudadanos canadienses" at COP 270,000 and states the amount is kept on reciprocity grounds.

Canada reports frequent ATM/card fraud and overcharging of tourists in popular tourist areas, advising visitors to ask for a printed price list before ordering and to use ATMs in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business. It also warns of fake police officers and says not to hand over money or documents unless you feel threatened.

The Medellín CVB says restaurants and bars usually add a 10% tip that is optional, 24-hour ATMs mostly accept international cards, cash pesos are useful for street and informal vendors, and high-denomination notes (50,000 and 100,000 pesos) are discouraged for small purchases.

Medellin.Travel says restaurants and bars usually add a 10 percent tip to the bill and that it is optional; Rough Guides says 10 percent is standard if not already included (look for 'servicio incluido'), taxis need no tip but rounding up is appreciated, and a few thousand pesos suit hotel staff, porters and guides.

Rough Guides says budget travelers can find dorm beds or simple rooms from about US$15-30 a night in Colombia, and that Medellin, Bogota and the Caribbean coast all have a solid hostel scene with rooftop terraces, group hikes and salsa nights.

Metrocable Line K connects Santo Domingo and Acevedo over 2 km and 4 stations in about 9 minutes and has operated since 7 August 2004; Acevedo is the transfer to Line A.

Metrocable Line H connects Villa Sierra, Las Torres and Oriente over 1.4 km in 5 minutes and has run since 17 December 2016.

Metrocable Line P (Picacho) connects El Progreso and Acevedo through Doce de Octubre and SENA over 2.7 km in about 10 minutes and opened on 10 June 2021.

Metroplus Line 1 connects Parque Aranjuez with Universidad de Medellin over 12.5 km and has run since 22 December 2011.

ProColombia's digital-nomad guide states Colombia has surpassed 8.2 million fixed internet accesses with an average download speed of 54.9 megabits per second (national average, not Medellín-specific).

Medellín CVB says the city has over 300 Wi-Fi hotspots in public places including parks, sports facilities and metro stations, and that nearly all cafés, restaurants and shopping malls also offer free Wi-Fi.

Medellín CVB recommends considering a Colombian SIM card for longer stays, saying Claro, Movistar and Tigo offer affordable data plans and SIM cards are easy to find at operator stores, airports and shopping malls.

Claro Colombia's official page defines the eSIM ('SIM virtual') as installed on an eSIM-compatible phone without a physical card, allows more than one Claro mobile number (eSIM and physical SIM), and provides a brand-and-model compatibility checker.

Claro Colombia's official prepaid page offers prepaid packages and top-ups for mobile lines, purchasable through WhatsApp or online, with a 7-day all-inclusive package at 50% off for new lines and number portings.

Movistar Colombia's official eSIM page advertises prepaid and postpaid eSIM offers 'Desde $20.000' (COP), with steps: dial *#06# to check compatibility (EID shown), buy online or at experience centres, then configure the device. Whether a foreign tourist can complete activation is not stated on the page.

El Tiempo reported on 26 April 2026 that the national government completed the sale of 1,108,266,271 ordinary shares, 32.5% of Colombia Telecomunicaciones (Coltel, Movistar), for 856.003 billion pesos amid the Coltel-Tigo merger, and that Millicom (Tigo) became the majority shareholder in this sale. Brand and plan continuity was not addressed.

CRC concept 522794 (3 Oct 2022) says the CRC has issued no prohibition on immediate blocking of phones that foreign tourists bring in for non-commercial use; a tourist who buys a local SIM card should check that the phone is homologated, and if so can use it normally. If not homologated, the operator sends a notice that the phone will be blocked after 45 calendar days unless homologated online.

CRC concept 522794 states that if a phone used with a local SIM is not homologated, the operator sends an SMS warning it will be blocked after 45 calendar days; homologation is an online process with no cost, using brand, model and TAC (first 8 digits of the IMEI, shown by dialling *#06#).

The CRC FAQ answers 'Sí' to whether a phone brought from abroad must be registered: present the invoice, proof of payment or declaration of ownership to your mobile operator, after verifying the phone is homologated for Colombia (otherwise the operator will not register it).

Acodres, cited by El Colombiano in January 2024, put the average corrientazo (set lunch with soup, protein, rice, salad and juice) at COP 11,000 in the Centro, COP 16,000 in the west, COP 17,000 in the north and COP 19,500 in the south of Medellín, 11% above 2023.

Terminales Medellín says transport companies have freedom to set fares: each company manages travel costs under its own policies, so travellers must check with the company directly.

Museo de Antioquia lists individual admission at COP 18,000 for nationals and COP 46,000 for foreigners, and free entry for children under 7 (nationals and foreigners), in its 2025 tariff graphic.

MAMM charges foreign visitors COP 30,000 general admission (COP 23,500 for children under 12, seniors 60+ and students with ID) versus COP 18,000 for Colombia residents; under-6s and people with a disability card enter free.

Lonely Planet's 2021 nomad guide gave Medellín living costs 'From US$1100 per month' and an average Wi-Fi download speed of 10 Mbps, noting faster connections are easy to find. Both figures are five years old and should be treated as historical.

Lonely Planet's Colombia budget guide lists daily costs: hostel dorm bed US$10-25, basic room for two US$20-50, self-catering apartment from US$30. Prices are nationwide, in USD, and from 2023.

Lonely Planet's Colombia budget guide lists a menú del día set lunch at US$2-5, coffee US$0.80-1.50, an empanada US$0.50-0.80, beer in a bar US$1-2 and a restaurant dinner for two US$25-40 (nationwide, 2023).

Lonely Planet's Colombia budget guide lists a Bogotá-Medellín bus ticket at US$18-23 (2023 figure).

The official tariffs page lists the adult aquatic pass (height 1.40 m and up) at COP 19,600 and the child pass (80 cm to 1.40 m) at COP 14,200, with a COP 7,600 green-zone entry that excludes wet zones.

Lonely Planet's Digital Nomad Handbook extract names Selina and Siembra Coworking/Ofizen (both El Poblado) and Tinkko (business district) as co-working options. It says prices fall outside El Poblado, in Ciudad del Rio, Estadio, Floresta and Laureles, and that good Spanish is needed. The figures (10 Mbps average Wi-Fi download, living costs from US$1100 per month) date from the 2021 extract.

Lonely Planet's digital-nomad guide cites Selina in El Poblado as a base combining accommodation, co-working, food and drinks under one roof.

Operators such as Claro, Movistar and Tigo offer affordable data plans, available at operator stores and at some points of sale inside shopping centres and airports. Medellin lists more than 300 Wi-Fi zones in public places such as parks, sports facilities and metro stations.

ProColombia's digital-nomad guide says the visa is for stays of more than 90 days, 'is not a work visa' (no work for any Colombian company, public or private), and requires proof of income of at least 3 legal minimum wages during the last 3 months.

Estatuto Tributario art. 10 treats a person as tax resident in Colombia if they stay 'continúa o discontinúamente en el país por más de ciento ochenta y tres (183) días calendario' (entry and exit days included) within any 365 consecutive calendar days; if that period spans more than one tax year, residency starts in the second year.

Ley 820 de 2003 art. 16: 'En los contratos de arrendamiento para vivienda urbana no se podrán exigir depósitos en dinero efectivo u otra clase de cauciones reales' to guarantee tenant obligations; the ban also covers indirect or separately documented equivalents. The law regulates leases of urban properties destined for housing (art. 1).

Ley 820 de 2003 art. 20 lets a landlord raise rent every 12 months by up to 100% of the previous calendar year's consumer price index (IPC) change, provided the new rent does not exceed the art. 18 limit; art. 18 caps monthly rent at 1% of the property's commercial value (estimated at no more than twice the cadastral valuation).

Ley 820 de 2003 art. 19 allows rent to be fixed in a foreign currency but requires payment in Colombian legal currency at the market representative exchange rate (TRM) on the date the obligation arose, unless the parties agreed another reference date or rate.

Lonely Planet's 2021 guide named Selina (El Poblado), Siembra Coworking/Ofizen (El Poblado) and Tinkko (15th floor, business district) as Medellín co-working options. As of 2026-10-02, selina.com redirects via script to socialtel.com and ofizen.com shows a 'for sale' page, so those two names should not be recommended.

Medellín CVB says that at Parque Lleras there are several coworking places and 'cafes or hostels with WiFi', and highlights Pergamino Café in nearby Provenza.

Medellín CVB lists Centro Comercial Monterrey (Cra. 48 #10-45, a few steps from El Poblado metro station) as having event spaces and coworking zones, restaurants and cafés, open Monday to Saturday 10am-7:30pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.

FCDO advises using licensed telephone or internet-based taxi services or booking through your hotel, not hailing taxis on the street, and only using pre-booked taxis; it reports express kidnappings, assaults and robberies in unlicensed taxis.