One month studying Spanish in Bogotá: How much should you budget?

This article was updated in August 2026.

Planning to spend a month learning Spanish in Bogotá?

You probably already know that you need to budget for Spanish classes and accommodation.

But what about food? Transportation? Coffee after class? Laundry? A SIM card? Activities? That weekend trip you didn’t plan before arriving?

Small expenses can add up quickly.

So, how much money should you actually plan for?

Note: This guide uses estimated costs in Bogotá and our current Spanish class prices. Prices and exchange rates can change, so use these numbers as a guide when planning your stay.

How much should you budget for one month in Bogotá?

For four weeks studying Spanish in Bogotá, plan to spend around USD $1,300 to $2,900, not including international flights.

How much you spend will depend on your Spanish program, where you stay, and your lifestyle.

If you share accommodation, cook some of your meals, and use public transportation, you can stay closer to the lower end of the budget. If you prefer private accommodation, eat out more often, and plan more activities or weekend trips, you will probably spend more.

These are estimates, so use them as a starting point when planning your stay.

One-month student budget in Bogotá

Here is what three different four-week stays could look like:

The comfortable example includes 10 hours of private Spanish classes per week. The other examples use group classes.

Prices can change depending on the season, exchange rate, accommodation, and your personal choices.

Now let’s look at where that money actually goes.

Spanish classes

Your Spanish program will be one of the main costs of your stay.

At Learn More Than Spanish, 10 hours of group Spanish classes cost USD $140 per week, which is $560 for four weeks.

If you want a more intensive program, 20 hours of group classes cost $240 per week, or $960 for four weeks.

Students who prefer individual lessons can choose 10 hours of private Spanish classes for $170 per week, or $680 for four weeks.

The best option isn’t necessarily the one with the most hours.

Think about how you want to spend your time in Bogotá.

Some students want an intensive program. Others prefer fewer hours in class and more time to explore the city, meet people, and practice what they learned during the day.

Accommodation

Accommodation will probably be one of your biggest expenses.

For this guide, we’ve estimated around $350 for shared accommodation, $550 for a mid-range option, and $850 for a more comfortable private stay.

The actual price can change considerably depending on the neighborhood, season, and type of accommodation.

One thing we recommend is checking the location before choosing the cheapest option.

Bogotá is a big city.

Saving money on a room may not feel like a great deal if you have a long commute to your Spanish classes every morning.

If you want to compare apartments, shared rooms, hostels, hotels, and other everyday expenses in more detail, read our complete guide to the cost of learning Spanish in Bogotá.

Food

Your food budget depends a lot on your habits.

If you buy groceries and cook regularly, around $200 for the month can be a good starting point.

If you combine groceries with local restaurants and cafés, you may spend closer to $300–$350.

If eating out is an important part of your trip, you could easily spend $500 or more.

You don’t have to choose between cooking every day and eating at expensive restaurants.

Bogotá has many local lunch options, bakeries, cafés, markets, and casual restaurants.

Visiting a local market also gives you another chance to practice your Spanish.

Transportation

Where you stay can make a big difference in how much you spend on transportation.

In 2026, a trip on Bogotá’s public transportation system costs COP $3,550, and the minimum taxi fare is COP $8,000.

If you stay close to your Spanish school and mainly use public transportation, around $40 per month is a good starting budget. This gives you enough for your trips to and from class, plus some extra trips around the city.

If you also use taxis or transportation apps from time to time, plan for around $70 per month. If you prefer using them more often, your transportation budget could be closer to $120.

This is why we recommend considering the location, not just the price, when choosing accommodation. Staying closer to your school can save you money, reduce your time in traffic, and give you more time to enjoy Bogotá.

The costs students often forget

Spanish classes, accommodation, food, and transportation are usually easy to remember when planning your budget.

But during a month in Bogotá, there are also smaller expenses that can add up.

SIM card and mobile data

Having mobile data makes your first days in Bogotá much easier. You’ll probably use your phone for maps, WhatsApp, transportation apps, and finding places around the city.

A local SIM card and mobile data are usually a small expense, but they’re worth adding to your budget.

Laundry

If your accommodation doesn’t have a washing machine or laundry service, you’ll need to plan for this during a four-week stay.

It may not be a big expense, but it’s one of those things that’s easy to forget before you arrive.

Airport transportation

Remember to include transportation between the airport and your accommodation in your budget.

The price will depend on where you stay and whether you use a taxi, transportation app, or public transportation.

It’s a small part of your total budget, but an easy expense to forget when planning your trip.

ATM and bank fees

Using an international card or withdrawing cash in Colombia may come with extra fees from your bank or the ATM.

Check with your bank before traveling so you know what to expect.

Everyday essentials

You may also need things like toiletries, bottled water, sunscreen, medicine, or something you forgot to pack.

None of these expenses will usually change your entire budget, but together they can make a difference.

Our advice? Leave a little extra room in your budget for the things you didn’t plan. You probably won’t know exactly what you’ll need until you’re here.

Activities in Bogotá

You’re coming to study Spanish, but you probably don’t want to spend four weeks going from your accommodation to class and back again.

Bogotá has museums, markets, music, food, cultural events, neighborhoods to explore, and plenty of places where you can continue using Spanish after class.

Depending on what you enjoy doing, consider keeping $50–$180 available for activities during the month.

Before paying for everything yourself, check what activities your Spanish school organizes. Some cultural and immersion activities may already be part of your experience.

Weekend trips

Weekend trips are another expense you may forget when planning your stay.

You may arrive with no plans to travel outside Bogotá. Then a friend suggests a weekend trip, or you decide to join an activity organized by the school.

There is plenty to see and do in Bogotá, so these trips are completely optional. But if you want to visit places like Zipaquirá, Guatavita, or Villa de Leyva, it’s a good idea to save some money for them.

Around $150–$300 can be a good budget for day trips or a weekend away during your month. How much you spend will depend on where you go, what you do, and whether you stay overnight.

If you decide to stay in Bogotá instead, you can use that money for other activities or simply spend less during your stay.

Three realistic budgets for one month

There isn’t one budget that works for everyone.

How much you spend depends on your Spanish program, accommodation, and what you want to do during your month in Bogotá.

Budget stay: around $1,300

You take 10 hours of group Spanish classes each week and stay in shared accommodation.

You cook some of your meals, eat at affordable local places, and mainly use public transportation.

You explore Bogotá while keeping paid activities and weekend trips to a minimum.

Mid-range stay: around $2,300

You take 20 hours of group Spanish classes each week and choose more private accommodation.

You combine groceries with eating out, use taxis or transportation apps occasionally, and have more room in your budget for activities, going out with classmates, and a weekend trip.

Comfortable stay: around $2,900+

You take private Spanish classes and choose private accommodation.

You eat out more often, use taxis or transportation apps regularly, and have a larger budget for activities, social plans, and weekend trips.

These are just examples. You can mix and match depending on what matters most to you.

You might prefer simple accommodation but spend more on Spanish classes. Or you might take fewer class hours and leave more money for activities and travel.

Choose the budget that best matches the experience you want in Bogotá.

Tips from a Spanish school in Bogotá

After welcoming international students to Bogotá, we’ve learned a few things that can help when planning your budget.

Stay close to your school if you can. Bogotá is a big city, and a long commute every day can take both time and money.

Mix eating out with more affordable options. You don’t need to eat at a restaurant for every meal. Groceries, bakeries, local markets, and lunch specials can help you spend less.

Save some money for unexpected plans. You may decide to visit a new place, join an activity, or go out with friends. It’s nice to have some extra money available when those plans come up.

Remember the small expenses. A SIM card, laundry, coffee, and other everyday purchases may not seem like much, but they can add up during a month.

Don’t plan every dollar before you arrive. Give yourself some flexibility. After your first few days in Bogotá, you’ll have a better idea of what you enjoy, what things cost, and how you want to spend the rest of your budget.

Do you need to study Spanish in Bogotá for a full month?

No.

Many students choose shorter programs, including two-week stays, while others stay for a month or longer.

How long you should stay depends on your goals, schedule, and budget.

A month gives you more time to combine Spanish classes with everyday practice. You’ll hear the language outside class, use new expressions, have conversations, and gradually become more comfortable communicating.

If you’re wondering what kind of progress four weeks can realistically bring, read what one month in Bogotá can really do for your Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for one month studying Spanish in Bogotá?

Plan to spend around $1,300 to $2,900 USD for four weeks studying Spanish in Bogotá, excluding international flights. Your total will depend mainly on your Spanish program, accommodation, food, transportation, activities, and lifestyle.

How much do Spanish classes cost for one month in Bogotá?

At Learn More Than Spanish, four weeks of group Spanish classes cost $560 for 10 hours per week or $960 for 20 hours per week. Four weeks of private classes at 10 hours per week cost $680.

Prices may change, so check our current Spanish class prices when planning your stay.

Can I study Spanish in Bogotá on a budget?

Yes. You can study Spanish in Bogotá on a smaller budget by choosing group classes, shared accommodation, public transportation, and a mix of groceries and affordable local food. Staying in Bogotá on weekends instead of taking trips can also help you spend less.

Can I study Spanish in Bogotá for only two weeks?

Yes. You can study Spanish in Bogotá for two weeks or even less. Many students choose shorter stays depending on their schedule and goals. A two-week stay will also reduce your costs for classes, accommodation, food, and transportation.

What should I include in my budget for studying Spanish in Bogotá?

Your budget should include Spanish classes, accommodation, food, transportation, mobile data, activities, and everyday expenses such as laundry and coffee. If you plan to travel outside Bogotá, add extra money for day trips or weekend trips.

Planning a month of Spanish in Bogotá?

Start with the three biggest expenses: Spanish classes, accommodation, and transportation.

Then create a realistic budget for food, transportation, activities, and everyday expenses.

And leave a little room for the plans you don’t know about yet.

At Learn More Than Spanish, we offer group and private Spanish classes in Bogotá for students who want to improve their Spanish while experiencing everyday life in Colombia.

If you’re planning your stay and aren’t sure which Spanish program fits your schedule and budget, get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help you explore your options.