Want to avoid last-minute ATM runs. Do most hostels in Colombia take card payments at check-in
I booked through Hostelworld and thought payment was done - nope. Most hostels only charge a 10% deposit, and the rest is due on arrival - often in cash. In Bogotá and Medellín I could pay with my card, but in Jardín and San Gil, I had to find an ATM first thing. Rule of thumb: big cities = card-friendly, small towns = cash-first.
My hostel in Getsemaní in Cartagena took card through a mobile machine (SumUp, I think), but in another budget spot near the beach, they said “cash only” even though they had a reader. Seemed like they just didn’t want to pay the fee. Wise card worked fine at BBVA ATM nearby. Best to have 100-200k COP in cash for backup.
Booked 3 hostels in Medellín (El Poblado area), all said they accepted card, but added a 4-5% surcharge for card payments. They clearly preferred cash. I ended up withdrawing from a Davivienda ATM, got hit with a 26,000 COP fee. Bring cash for better deals, but card is accepted at most urban hostels. Black sheep hostel accepts cards without a fee, but Blink hostel and spanish school takes a surcharge to take cards.
Stayed at Selina in Bogotá and Masaya Hostel - both accepted cards at check-in, no problem. But in Salento and Guatapé, smaller hostels asked for cash even though I booked online. One even had a card machine but said “offline today” which felt suspicious. I now message the hostel a day before to confirm.