1

There are most definitely cheaper bus options, however the collectivo/chiva option will probably not be practical for the longer bus trips. The 40 to 50 dollar range is about right for the more upscale bus lines. With the cheaper bus companies, you will have to go to the terminal and reserve from there. The prices will be a bit cheaper, but you are going to be disappointed if you think you can roll from Cartagena to Medellin for 10 dollars. The cheaper lines are about one third to half the price of the more expensive companies. With that being said, paying the extra 10 bucks for a better company is often worth the price of not turning a 10 hour trip into a 16 hour one. Good luck!

2

yes buses are definitely more expensive here. note that the price you see published is the maximum rate they can charge eg at xmas and that you can bargain a bit outside of that. night buses can save a nights lodging as they are very comfortable but COLD due to a/c. fyi the bus trip between san gil and buccaramanga is just spectacular.

3

South America is considerably more expensive then Central America. The buses in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia are still quite cheap.

4

I was in Colombia last year and yes, it is a lot more expensive to travel then Central America. As everyone has said the price is probably just over what you will pay and make sure you rug up on the buses as it is bloody cold with the air con.

5

I second #3. In Ecuador the buses are $1 an hour. Haven't been in Peru or Bolivia for a while to comment specifically. Every other Sth American country you pay much more, with Brazil being the most expensive, at more like $10 an hour (and VERY long distances to cover).

6

I've been in Colombia for the last 2 months and am still here. Some bus prices to give you an idea:

Bogota in-city: 1,450
Bogota to Zipaquira: 4,000
Zipaquira to Villa de Leyva: 20,000
Villa de Leyva to Bogota: 20,000
Medellin metro ride: 1,800
Medellin to Piedra de Penol: 11,500
Medellin Parque Arvi additional cable ride: 4,000
shuttle between Medellin and center (either way): 7,500 (flat)
Cartagena airport to old city, taxi: 10,000 (flat)
Cartagena in-city: 1,600
Cartagena to Glalerazamba (from which to walk to the mud volcano): 7,000
Cartagena to Santa Marta: 20,000
Santa Marta to Cartagena: 18,000
Taganga to Santa Marta: 1,200
Cartagena bus station to airport: 20,000
Medellin to La Pintada: 10,000
La Pintada to Ciudad Bolivar: 15,000
Ciudad Bolivar to Farallones: 4,700
Ciudad Bolivar to Andes: 8,000
Andes to Jardin: 4,000
Jardin to Manizales: 34,000
Manizales in-city: 1,400
Manizales cable car: 1,400
Manizales to Armenia: 17,500
highway flag stop to Salento: 1,700
Jeep to Valle de Cocora: 3,000
Salento to highway: 1,800
highway to Filandia: 2,000
highway to Armenia: 3,800
Armenia to Buga: 13,000
Buga to Darien: 6,300
Darien to Buga: 6,000
Buga to Cali: 7,000
Armenia to Cali: 15,000 (promotion)
Cali in-city: 1,600
Cali taxi to Las Brisas de Jamundi: 25,000 (flat)
Cali taxi to Chipichape: 7,000-8,000
Cali to Popayan: 12,000-15,000
Popayan to Coconuco: 3,000
Popayan to Ipiales: 35,000