Living Large in Colombia on a Tiny Budget: Why I Might Never Leave Pereira

When I tell people I live in Colombia, their eyes widen. They picture me lounging on tropical beaches, sipping fresh coconut water under a palm tree. Well, surprise! I’m living in Pereira, a city tucked away in Colombia’s coffee region, where instead of coconuts, I sip cappuccinos that cost less than your loose change. It’s the kind of place where the weather is eternal spring, the mountains look like a Bob Ross painting, and the cost of living makes my US bank account look like it’s been hitting the gym.

Let me break it down for you — and trust me, you’ll be grabbing your passport by the end of this.

The Rent That’s Practically Free (Okay, Not Really, But Close)

I live in Pinares, one of Pereira’s nicest neighborhoods. It’s safe, leafy, and has cute cafés at every corner (which is both a blessing and a curse for my caffeine addiction). Our 1-bedroom apartment costs 2,300,000 pesos, or about $530 a month, including utilities. That’s right. Water, electricity, and internet all bundled in like some sort of magical housing deal.

Eating Out Daily Without Breaking the Bank

I’ll admit it. We eat out every single day, sometimes twice a day, and Pereira makes it ridiculously easy to justify.

• The famous menu del día (daily special) gives you a fresh juice, hearty soup, and a full meal for around 18,000 COP (roughly $4). I’ve paid more for a sad airport sandwich.
• At my favorite restaurants, where they don’t skimp on portions or flavor, a full meal with a drink and tip costs about 35,000 COP ($8).
• Feeling fancy? Even at Pereira’s finest restaurants, a main dish ranges from 60,000-80,000 COP ($14-$18.50).

Monthly dining out? Around $270 per person, including the desserts and pastries I absolutely don’t need but totally deserve.

Transportation So Cheap It Feels Illegal

Forget owning a car. Forget traffic. I get around town in Ubers, which cost about 5,000 COP (a little over $1) for a 10-minute ride. Monthly transportation? Roughly $30. I know. I had to double-check the math too.

Luxury on a Budget

Pereira isn’t just affordable; it’s also indulgent. Here’s what “treat yourself” looks like here:

• 10 private dance classes for 400,000 COP ($90). Because salsa is a lifestyle, not a choice.
• A package of 20 massages for 600,000 COP ($140). That’s right. I’m practically paying $7 per massage. My stressed-out US self is shaking.
• A solid gym membership for 50,000 COP (under $12/month).
• A house cleaner who’ll leave your place spotless for 60,000 COP ($14).

Add it all up, and you’re living like royalty for what you might spend on a weekend brunch back home.

The Best Part: Pereira Itself

Now, don’t get me wrong. The affordability is incredible, but Pereira is more than just a budget traveler’s paradise. It’s the lush green mountains that greet me every morning. It’s the perfect weather — not too hot, not too cold — like Goldilocks ordered it herself. It’s the locals who smile at you on the street, who make you feel like you belong.

It’s the kind of place that quietly wins you over, where your days are slow and peaceful but never boring.

So, Is It Worth It?

Let’s recap:

• Monthly rent: $265 (split)
• Groceries: $150
• Eating out (daily): $270
• Transportation: $30
• Fun extras (dance classes, massages, gym): ~$135

For about $850 a month, I live in a safe, beautiful city, eating like a queen and dancing off all that torta de almojabana. Meanwhile, I’m saving for retirement, traveling to new places, and enjoying a quality of life that feels almost too good to be true.

So, if you’re sitting at your desk daydreaming about a different life, maybe it’s time to take the leap. Pereira — or somewhere just like it — might be waiting for you, too.

Now excuse me while I head out for another $1.50 cappuccino.