A week in Colombia from Toronto costs roughly $1,200–$1,500 CAD all-in. Return flights, hostels, food, and experiences — here's how to do it right.
Here's how to spend seven days across Bogotá and Cartagena without cracking $1,500.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Capital | Bogotá |
| Currency | Colombian Peso (COP); ~$1 CAD = 3,200–3,500 COP |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (same as Eastern Standard Time) |
| Visa for Canadians | Not required for stays under 90 days |
| Best months to visit | December–March and July–August (dry seasons) |
| Flight from YYZ | $450–$700 CAD return (Avianca, LATAM, Air Canada via connections) |
| Average daily budget | $60–$85 CAD (budget traveller, mid-range food) |
| Language | Spanish (English limited outside tourist zones — learn basics) |
The Itinerary: Bogotá (4 Nights) + Cartagena (3 Nights)
Days 1–4: Bogotá
Fly into El Dorado International Airport (BOG). Avianca runs direct from YYZ year-round; LATAM connects through Lima but sometimes prices lower. Grab a taxi to La Candelaria, the historic centre where most budget travellers base themselves. A cab from the airport runs about $25–$35 CAD, or take the TransMilenio bus system for under $2 CAD if you're comfortable navigating it with luggage.
Where to stay: La Candelaria is your neighbourhood. Hostel Sue Candelaria and Cranky Croc Hostel both run $18–$28 CAD/night for a private room, $12–$16 for a dorm. If you want a step up without the hostel vibe, Hotel Casa Deco in the same area costs $55–$75 CAD/night. It's a 1930s art deco building with actual character.
The catch: La Candelaria gets sketchy after dark. Don't wander solo past 10 PM south of Calle 7. Chapinero and Zona G are safer for nightlife — a $6 CAD Uber ride away.
What to do:
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Day 1 — La Candelaria walking tour. Do the free walking tour with Beyond Colombia (tip-based, budget $10–$15 CAD). You'll cover Plaza Bolívar, Botero Museum (free admission), and the street art of La Candelaria in about 3 hours. Afternoon: ride the Teleférico cable car up Monserrate for $8 CAD return. The view over the entire city at 3,152 metres is worth every peso.
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Day 2 — Usaquén and food. Take the TransMilenio north to Usaquén — a former colonial village now swallowed by the city. Sunday has a massive flea market, but any day works for wandering the cobblestone streets. Lunch at Salvo Patria (mains $8–$14 CAD) or grab a $3 arepa stuffed with cheese from a street cart. Walk through Parque de la 93 in the afternoon for people-watching and cheap coffee.
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Day 3 — Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral. Take the day trip to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, about 50 km north of Bogotá. A bus from Portal del Norte costs $4 CAD each way. Entry is $12 CAD. It's a functioning cathedral carved entirely inside a salt mine. Genuinely unlike anything else you've seen. You'll be back in Bogotá by mid-afternoon.
Photo by Reza Madani on Unsplash
- Day 4 — Gold Museum + fly to Cartagena. Morning at the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum). It's free, houses over 55,000 gold artifacts, and you can do it in 90 minutes. Then grab your bag and head to the airport for a domestic flight to Cartagena (CTG). Avianca and Viva Air (now part of Avianca) run this route multiple times daily. Book in advance and you'll pay $60–$100 CAD one-way.
The catch: Bogotá sits at 2,640 metres. You'll feel the altitude: headaches, shortness of breath walking uphill. Drink water, skip the aguardiente on night one, and give yourself a slow first morning.
Find the best YYZ→BOG fares on Expedia
Days 5–7: Cartagena
You land in Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) and cab into the Old Town for $10–$15 CAD. Cartagena is hotter and more tourist-oriented than Bogotá, but the walled city is one of the most photogenic places in the Americas.
Where to stay: Stay inside the walled city (Centro Histórico) or in Getsemaní, the backpacker-friendly neighbourhood just outside the walls. Media Luna Hostel in Getsemaní costs $14–$20 CAD/dorm or $45–$60 CAD/private. Life is Getsemaní Hostel is another solid pick at similar prices. For a boutique option, Casa del Curato in San Diego quarter runs $70–$90 CAD/night.
Browse Cartagena hotels on Booking.com — sorted by guest rating
The catch: Cartagena's Old Town has a markup on everything. A beer that costs $2 in Bogotá costs $5 here. Eat where locals eat — the Bazurto Market area has $4 CAD lunches (bandeja paisa, fried fish, fresh juice) that outclass most tourist-zone restaurants.
What to do:
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Day 5 — Walled city on foot. Just walk. The Old Town is compact enough to cover in half a day: Clock Tower, Plaza Santo Domingo, the colourful streets of San Diego quarter, ramparts at sunset. Budget $0 plus whatever you spend on fruit juice from street vendors ($1–$2 CAD). Evening: Getsemaní's Plaza de la Trinidad for live music and cheap cocktails ($4–$6 CAD).
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Day 6 — Rosario Islands day trip. Take a boat to Isla del Rosario or Isla Barú. Standard day trips from the old city dock run $40–$65 CAD including lunch and snorkelling gear. The water is Caribbean-clear, the lunch is usually fried fish with coconut rice, and you're back by 4 PM. Book through your hostel or directly at the dock (haggle, because the first price is never the real price).
Book Rosario Islands snorkelling tours on GetYourGuide
- Day 7 — Castillo San Felipe + departure. Morning at Castillo San Felipe de Barajas ($9 CAD entry), a massive 17th-century fortress with tunnels you can explore. It's hot. Go early. Afternoon: final ceviche at La Cevichería ($10–$15 CAD for a plate that's worth every cent), grab your bag, cab to CTG airport, fly home through BOG or direct connections.
Budget Breakdown: 7 Days for Under $1,500 CAD
| Category | Budget Estimate (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Return flight YYZ→BOG | $500–$650 |
| Domestic flight BOG→CTG | $70–$100 |
| Accommodation (7 nights, mix of dorms + privates) | $140–$210 |
| Food (7 days) | $100–$140 |
| Activities & entrance fees | $80–$120 |
| Local transport (TransMilenio, taxis, Uber) | $40–$60 |
| Miscellaneous (SIM card, tips, souvenirs) | $30–$50 |
| Total | $960–$1,330 CAD |
That leaves room for a nicer dinner, an extra day trip, or a private room upgrade. You're still under $1,500.
Budget tier: If you stay exclusively in dorms, eat street food, and skip the Rosario Islands boat trip, you can do this for $900 CAD. If you want private rooms every night and a couple of sit-down dinners, plan for $1,300–$1,500.
Practical Tips for Canadians
Flights: Avianca's direct YYZ→BOG route is your best bet. Flight time is about 5.5 hours. Shoulder season fares (April–May, September–November) tend to be cheapest. Set a Google Flights alert for the route and wait for sub-$500 CAD returns.
Money: Colombia is a cash-heavy country outside major tourist zones. ATMs are everywhere in Bogotá and Cartagena. Bancolombia charges the lowest foreign withdrawal fees. Your Canadian debit card works at most ATMs (Interac/Plus network). Credit cards accepted at hotels and nicer restaurants; carry cash for everything else.
Safety: Colombia's safety has improved dramatically, but common-sense rules apply. Don't flash expensive gear. Use Uber or InDrive instead of hailing random cabs. Keep your phone in your front pocket in crowded markets. Bogotá's La Candelaria and Cartagena's Old Town are safe during the day; both require more caution at night.
Phone: Buy a Claro SIM card at the airport for $10–$15 CAD. You get 10–15 GB of data that works nationwide. WhatsApp is the primary communication tool: booking tours, contacting hostels, everything.
Health: No mandatory vaccines for Canadians entering Colombia, but Health Canada recommends Hepatitis A/B and typhoid. Tap water in Bogotá is safe to drink (one of the few South American capitals where this is true). In Cartagena, stick to bottled.
The catch: The Canadian dollar doesn't stretch as far in Colombia as it did in 2019. The COP has strengthened, and tourist-area prices in Cartagena have climbed. It's still cheap by Canadian standards, but it's not the "absurdly cheap" destination some older blog posts describe.
FAQ
Do Canadians need a visa for Colombia? No. Canadian passport holders can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. You'll need a passport valid for at least six months and proof of onward travel (a return flight or bus ticket out of the country).
How much does a flight from Toronto to Colombia cost? Return flights from Toronto (YYZ) to Bogotá (BOG) run $450–$700 CAD in shoulder season. Avianca operates a direct route at around 5.5 hours. Prices peak during December–January and July–August school holidays.
Is Colombia safe for solo travellers from Canada? Yes, with standard precautions. Bogotá and Cartagena are well-travelled by international backpackers. Use ride-hailing apps, avoid isolated areas at night, and keep valuables out of sight. The Canadian government travel advisory for Colombia is "exercise a high degree of caution," which applies broadly. The tourist circuits are well-established and well-policed.
What's the best time of year to visit Colombia? Colombia has two dry seasons: December–March and July–August. These overlap with peak tourist season and higher prices. Shoulder months (April–May and September–November) offer lower fares from Canada and fewer crowds, with occasional afternoon rain showers but rarely full washout days.
Can I get by in Colombia without speaking Spanish? In Cartagena's Old Town and Bogotá's tourist zones, you'll find enough English to manage. Outside those areas, Spanish is essential. Download Google Translate offline and learn 50 basic phrases before you go. Colombians are patient and friendly with language learners — the effort matters more than the fluency.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Bogotá? The direct Avianca flight from YYZ to BOG takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. Connections through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Panama City add 3–6 hours depending on the layover.
Current Deals from Canada
Check the FareNorth deals page for the latest flight deals from Canadian airports to Bogotá and Cartagena. Deals on this route pop up regularly in shoulder season, with return fares occasionally dropping below $400 CAD from Toronto.
Last updated: April 2026
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