Iíve been living in Cartagena for the last few month. I bought an apartment in Playa del Mer and I kept a spread sheet of my expensives. I hope this answers your questions and helps others who are thinking of retiring here,


Bluesdude
Colombia Budget
Supermarket Food Prices
Exchange Rate is 2340 pesos to the dollar  
Item Pesos Dollars For 1 Person Lasts:
Coppertone Sunscrn.

23500

10.04

3 Months
Liquid Anti Handsoap

6900

2.95

3 Months
Pesos Dollars

12.99

4.33

Bus to Centro

700

0.30

3 Bars Dial Anti Soap

3490

1.49

2 Months
Taxi LaGuito to Centro

4000

1.71

Lg H&S Shampoo

9850

4.21

2 Months
Taxi LaGuito to Airport

12000

5.13

Dry Oregano

2400

1.03

2 Months
Taxi LaGuito to Casas, etc. 500 g Dk Rst. Coffee

4760

2.03

2 Months

8.76

4.38

Sm. Bottle Hot Sauce

1200

0.51

1 Month
Breakfast Sm. Bottle Soy Sauce

2250

0.96

1 Month
At Cappucino

7500

3.21

Dry Creamer

3970

1.70

1 Month
In Centro

5000

2.14

500ml Ex V. Olive Oil

11600

4.96

1 Month
Sm Bag of Sugar

1690

0.72

1 Month
Lunch Sm Bot wht. Vinegar

1700

0.73

1 Month
In Centro

7000

2.99

Local Rum (Gallon)

36400

15.56

1 Month
In Laguito

12000

5.13

Sm. Bag Flour

720

0.31

1 Month
In Centro (Fancy)

20000

8.55

Lg Mayonnaise

3150

1.35

1 Month
Med Mustard

900

0.38

1 Month

27.17

27.17

Dinner Smirnoff's Vod. Ice

2400

1.03

2 Weeks (6)
Average Colombian Restaurant

8000

3.42

Good Rum 1L

23950

10.24

2 Weeks
Riquisimo's Baby Beef

22000

9.40

Large Papaya

3500

1.50

2 Weeks
Price Fixed Menu in Centro

30000

12.82

Lg. Pkg Saltines

1880

0.80

2 Weeks
Splurge in Centro with good wine

50000

21.37

4 Bunches Garlic

450

0.19

2 Weeks
Sm Bag Rice

650

0.28

2 Weeks
A DAY AT THE BEACH pkg of Wafer Cookies

2050

0.88

2 Weeks
Liquid Laundry Soap

6540

2.79

2 Weeks
Buy it There

17.70

35.40

Coca Cola (2.5L)

2800

1.20

1 Week
Beer

3000

1.28

Beer (local)

1100

0.47

1 Week (6)
Mixed Drink

8000

3.42

4 Large Limes

875

0.37

1 Week
Soft Drink

2000

0.85

2 Red Del. Apples

1750

0.75

1 Week
Fruit Salad

5000

2.14

4 Carrots

620

0.26

1 Week
Misc. Snacks

5000

2.14

Pkg. Of Fresh Basil

1200

0.51

1 Week
Cabana (1-4 persons)

5000

2.14

3 Onions

1160

0.50

1 Week
Chairs

5000

2.14

Stalk of Celery

1500

0.64

1 Week
Sm Gouda Cheese

6900

2.95

1 Week
Pk of Sanwich Ham

4100

1.75

1 Week
Take Your Own (Good for 4 persons) Box of nonref. Milk

2000

0.85

1 Week
Box of Fruit Juice

1770

0.76

1 Week
Bottle of Good Rum (750 ml,12 drinks)

20000

8.55

Pkg. Of Sl.Cheddar

3910

1.67

1 Week
Pkg of lo fat Ham

4410

1.88

1 Week
Pkg of Breath Gum

1530

0.65

1 Week
Head of Cabbage

1000

0.43

1 Week
pkg of 8 Tomatoes

3420

1.46

1 Week
Stick of Butter

1150

0.49

1 Week
Med pkg Pork Rinds

3620

1.55

1 Week
Lg. Bag of Salt.Penuts

10000

4.27

1 Week
Med. Bot Listerine

5840

2.50

1 Week
2.5L Bottle of Soda

3000

1.28

25.92

103.68

Ice, Cups

5000

2.14

Beer

1500

0.64

OK Bottle of Red Wine

23210

9.92

1 meal
Fruit Salad

5000

2.14

Head of Iceberg Let.

968

0.41

2 Meals
Misc. Snacks

5000

2.14

Cheap White Wine

13940

5.96

1 meal
Cabana (1-4 persons)

5000

2.14

pkg of 3 local fish filets

15930

6.81

1 meal
Chairs

5000

2.14

lb. Of Gr Beans

1520

0.65

1 meal
Mix Shellfish Frz 12oz

9400

4.02

1 meal
Massage, Pedicure & Manicure

30000

12.82

Pkg. Of 2 Chikn Brst

3170

1.35

1 Meal

0.00

6 Chicken Brst. Filets

9000

3.85

3 Meals
Beach Girl (minimum 1 Hr.)

70000

29.91

2 Sm. Head Romaine

1060

0.90

1 meal
Loaf of Fr. Bread

1250

0.53

1 meal
Rent An Apt in LaGuito

34.40

68.8

243.77

1 month

2106000

900

3+months

1638000

700