Colombia – Dancing Through Cartagena’s Colorful Streets
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It all started with a leap of faith—and a dirt-cheap flight to Bogotá. I’d been scrolling fare alerts, half-dreaming of South America, when I snagged a round-trip ticket for less than a new winter coat. I booked it on impulse, stuffed a backpack with the basics (and a few random extras, because why not?), and landed in Colombia with wide eyes and a tight budget. My first stop was Bogotá, a city that’s raw and real. I crashed at a hostel in La Candelaria for 10 bucks a night—just a bunk and a shared bathroom, but the courtyard was a hub of traveler tales over cheap beer. I wandered cobblestone streets, dodged overpriced art tours, and sipped tinto at cafés where locals debated soccer. The best part? A bowl of ajiaco—rich, hearty soup—cost less than a latte back home. Eating local kept my wallet happy
(Budget travel, affordable destinations, solo travel tips)
Next, I craved the coast, so I hopped a bus to Cartagena. Solo travel tip: long-haul buses are your friend. They’re half the price of flights, and the ride’s an adventure itself. I squeezed in with families and fellow backpackers, windows steaming as we wound through misty mountains. Cartagena hit me with humid air and streets like a pastel painting. I splurged on a Getsemaní guesthouse—20 bucks a night for a fan-cooled room overlooking the plaza. Totally worth it. Days were spent roaming the walled city, snapping pics of lizard-shaped door knockers, and nights were for salsa at Café Havana with strangers-turned-friends. One evening, I joined a street food crawl for a few bucks, stuffing myself with arepas and empanadas ‘til I couldn’t move. It wasn’t fancy, but it was pure joy.
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Colombia had more up its sleeve, though. I ventured to Salento, a coffee-region gem, via a local bus packed with bean sacks and chatty farmers. I scored a hostel for 8 bucks a night and hiked the Cocora Valley, where misty hills framed the world’s tallest palms. It cost me nothing but effort, and the view was unreal. One night, I stumbled into a tejo game at a bar—tossing metal disks at gunpowder targets with old-timers who cheered my awful throws. Those spontaneous moments? They’re why I love budget travel. Colombia proved affordable destinations can feel luxurious. From Bogotá’s grit to Cartagena’s vibrancy and Salento’s peace, I left with salsa in my soul, a full camera roll, and cash to spare. Dreaming of South America on a dime? Colombia’s calling—pack light, ride the buses, and let it sweep you away.
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