Domestic flights are cheap; buses are long but comfortable

Colombia's mountains make bus rides slow: Bogotá to Medellín is nine hours by road and an hour by plane, and the low-cost carriers often price flights near the bus fare if booked early. For shorter hops, buses are frequent and comfortable. In Bogotá, the TransMilenio bus system is cheap but crowded; use it off-peak. Hostels and guesthouses are good value, and the coffee region (Salento, Jardín) has fincas that take guests for little.