How much is a cheap 26" mountain bike or hybrid in Colombia? Are those bikes likely to be compatible with the parts that come standard on bikes in the US?

My fiancee and I have been planning a bike tour in Colombia for the last year, and we fly out on Tuesday evening (6/30). I was double checking the size restrictions for bike boxes, when I saw that United has instituted an Excess Baggage Embargo to Colombia since we bought the tickets! No oversize packages allowed. Period. I've been on the phone with them, and there is absolutely no way we can fly with our bikes.

I've researched and ruled out S&S couplers (not enough time) and shipping (not enough money).

At this point, our best option seems to be to bring the wheels and key components from our bikes, buy the cheapest bikes we can find when we reach Ibague (our starting point), and install our parts on them. I found a couple websites that suggest we could get locally built bikes for under $100!

http://www.herrndorf.de/2011/03/buyi...ike-in-bogota/

https://blog.uvm.edu/lvivanco/2014/0...cle-in-bogota/

Any thoughts or advise?