Upon arriving in Colombia, it may seem like everything is so cheap and inexpensive, especially if you have dollars or euros. A very nice elegant meal at a top-end restaurant might cost you 200 dollars in the USA or Europe, while here in Colombia you’d only pay around 50 bucks including the tip. You can get a “corriente’ lunch here for as little as 4 dollars. Corriente is a lunch-special that many small cheap restaurants offer around the business and university sectors. This meal usually consists of meat (chicken, pork, fish or beef), white rice, another carbohydrate (potatoes, spaghetti, or mixed vegetables), a small salad, a small bowl of soup and juice or lemonade. On the other hand, if you go to the grocery store to buy some icecream, it will be more expensive than in the USA and probably a lot less to choose from. The cheapest way to enjoy a bit of ice cream here is to get a cone from either McDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Even specialty coffee can get pretty expensive, particularly if you go to Juan Valdez, Oma, or Starbucks. Yes, we do have Starbucks here! I prefer Juan Valdez. Their granizados are great, and they have a point program for free deals. A newer place called Café Quindio, it’s even better and usually more internet-friendly, plus more comfortable seating. Try their Café Moca Granizado. It’s delicious. Some other products that are quite expensive here are name brand products such as iPhone, Nike, Hugo Boss etc. Remember that Colombia also has a 19% sales tax too, plus their high tariffs. The price of cars, for example, is astronomical. That’s why Uber drivers are so numerous here. Most people use it as a second job to pay for their car loan. That makes Uber and inDriver a lot less expensive to use. If you download and check out the app inDriver, you will probably like it better since it gives you the option to use the recommended price, or you can put the price you want to pay. Sometimes being able to save as much as 50% off the recommended price. Also, remember that if you are paying by credit card, here in Colombia, some businesses give you the option to choose whether to be charged in dollars or pesos. Always choose dollars. Choosing dollars will get you the official exchange rate, but if you choose pesos it will give you the price the business chooses. Most things that are actually made here or prepared here in Colombia are going to be very cheap. Merchandise to check out would be leather products, emeralds, gold (especially at pawnshops), knock-off Nike sold in the San Andrecito areas, which are abundant in Bogotá and Medellín. Bogotá has an entire district that is dedicated to making leather goods.
Please take into account I have lived in Colombia for over 20 years, and I’m just giving you my honest opinions, advice and suggestions so you are better informed upon your arrival. I’m not here to insult or degrade. This is just what I have experienced over time. Colombia is a fascinating country and so many things to see and do. Don’t be afraid to converse with the Colombian people as they love new visitors and making new friends.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or write your questions and thoughts here.
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