Reasonable amount of money to budget

griffbos says on Feb 14, 2009, 20:07:

Okay I think still the Museo is still free, where is the house your staying? buses in January were either 1.200 or 1.300 each way, but you can buy the metro suttle and train for 1.800 pesos each way. cost to eats depends where you go in centro many plces you can get a good lunch for 6.000 each, Check with the girfriend but shoping in a meat store in centro sometimes is cheaper then a place near the house, Also near Pargue Betro? is a market that sells fruits and veggies, near the far end of the market is an area to buy fish cheap, all of it is near the Metro. you cost will vary depending if ti is just the two fo you or others involed.

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ardhvc says on Feb 14, 2009, 20:26:

Yeah, i was reading on here and in a colombia travel guide book, there is a lot to do in medellin, i don't know where to start. You almost feel rushed to see it all even though it should be a vacation. Maybe I can post pics up on pbh when i get back. I think I'll be staying out west of the city, I know when I told her that I was gonna be going to be arriving by rio negro to the airport she said it was on the opposite side of town, I think rio negro is to the east of downtown medellin by 30 minutes.

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 15, 2009, 00:38:

I spent about 45,000 COP a day, including accommodation a couple of years ago when I was visiting Bogota totally on my own (I have family there, but since I was there to surprise them I had a few days there on my own). My accommodation was only 15,000 COP per day, but I don't see attractions costing you much more than that per day. I ate very simply - bread, fruit & coffee in the morning, executivo lunches (the 6,000 COP ones), and whatever in the evening. Chances are reasonable that there will be a corner store or bakery (walking distance) to the house, so I wouldn't bother budgeting for trips to the market regularly - but definitely see if someone will take you out to see the traditional mercado (public market) - as it is an experience. Pick a product and I guarantee you that it will be at least 50% more expensive if you look for the same thing at one of the supermarkets.

In my own travels I have found that I spend *more* money when I stay at someone's house than if I stayed somewhere on my own .. it's different Example: if you are being hosted there will be all sorts of little costs, ie if they take you out, it might be polite to pick up the tab for coffee or some sort of treat. If you are going on a tight budget be upfront about it so you don't get constantly tossed into situations that will put you over budget. opt for the romantic evening promenade vs the high-end restaurant etc.

Also, even if you won't be staying at a hostel you might want to swing by one just for the resources that they can offer you (they know what foreigners enjoy most about Colombia - while locals will just want to show off shiny nice boring generic shopping malls). I was really really impressed by the hostel I stayed in Bogota... and as delightful as Colombia is to discover in the company of Colombians, there is also something incredibly fun about seeing it with a diverse group of other young foreigners also seeing it for the first time (many of whom may speak your own language) Don't entirely dismiss trips or activities that you know will also have some foreigners - it is soo much fun.

For transportation - be strategic when planning your activities. #1 Get a map of the city and region, #2 get someone to tell you where NOT to go, #3 start circling places you want to go to. Where are they? Lump the ones that are closest together into one day, double check that the area is safe to walk in and put on some comfy walking shoes. 2 kms is a 20 minutes stroll. Take a taxi or the train to where you are going get out and walk until it is the end of the day. There is no better way to experience a place than on foot.

If you are going to see "attractions" like museums (vs a historical district), don't do any more than 2 per day.. leave the rest of your time for strolling and taking in the atmosphere.

Note: Like Bogota, Medellin has something called Ciclovia - it's every Sunday, might be a fun (& affordable) thing to take in with your GF. If you can get your hands on a bike then you'll get to see even more of the city.
http://www.ciclorecreovia.cl/en/expe.html

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 15, 2009, 10:36:

If you told us how long you will be in Medellin, we might be able to answer the question.

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 15, 2009, 10:43:

I stayed in a hotel, ate out everyday, traveled around a little for 12 days. I spent about $800 usd total, besides the plane ticket. (It was $266 round trip)

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Feb 15, 2009, 20:54:

Its your GIRLFRIEND and she lives in Medellin.. So you have been there before im sure, what did you spend last time?

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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