Colombia Travel Guide

If you’re reading this Colombia travel guide, it means you’re either planning for or thinking about taking a trip to Colombia – and I’m excited for you! There are many reasons to travel to Colombia: the diverse landscapes, rich history, and friendly people. As a bonus, Colombia is budget-friendly.

Colombia is also the second most biodiverse country in the world! Some of the places you can visit include the lush Amazon rainforest, towering Andes mountains, sunny Caribbean beaches, and charming colonial cities. 

In this Colombia travel guide, I’ll share essential information to prepare you for your trip. It’s important to know what to expect in Colombia, from travel requirements to local customs. We’ll go over everything you need to know about traveling to Colombia, whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling in a group. 

If you haven’t already, make sure you get travel insurance before traveling to Colombia! My top picks are SafetyWing and World Nomads.

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Colombia Destination Guides

For detailed information on Colombia destinations, refer to the guides below. In addition to trip planning information, each guide includes my personal travel stories and tips on how to have an authentic travel experience.

Colombia Location

Colombia is located in the northwestern part of South America. Its neighboring countries are Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. Colombia has coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Its capital city is Bogotá.

Colombia Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish. Try to learn a few words before visiting, and download Spanish in Google Translate for offline use.

Colombia is also a great place to learn Spanish. Many of the local accents emphasize clear enunciation and are easy to understand. 

Colombians also have their own slang! There are too many for me to cover in this Colombia travel guide, but some phrases you might hear often are Chévere (cool), and ¡Qué chimba! (awesome!)

Time Zone

Colombia’s time zone is UTC/GMT -5 hours, similar to the East Coast of the US. Colombia does not observe daylight savings time.

Power Outlets in Colombia

Colombia uses power outlets of type A and type B. The standard voltage is 110 V at a frequency of 60 Hz. If you’re traveling from the US, you won’t need an adaptor in Colombia.

Colombia Travel Requirements and Documents

Ensure your passport has a minimum validity of 6 months before traveling to Colombia. Verify visa requirements and maximum stay limits based on your citizenship.

To travel to Colombia, it’s required to complete a pre-registration form before arrival.

You’ll need to present proof of onward travel before your trip to Colombia. If your departure date is uncertain, use Onward Ticket to generate a temporary ticket.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for places like Tayrona National Park, and you can receive it free of charge at the Bogotá airport.

Another thing you should do before traveling to Colombia is to check the latest COVID vaccination and testing requirements.

Safety for Tourists in Colombia

Colombia often gets unfairly labeled as an unsafe destination for tourists due to its history of drug cartel violence and a prolonged civil war. However in recent years, the country has made significant progress towards peace and violent crime has substantially decreased.

If you avoid rural non-touristic areas and unsafe neighborhoods, you’ll most likely only encounter petty crime. For more information, read my detailed guide on how to stay safe in Colombia. Also make sure you get travel insurance (I recommend SafetyWing and World Nomads).

Colombia Guide to Staying Connected

WiFi is very good in major cities in Colombia. 

Download maps of areas you’ll be traveling to in Google Maps or MAPS.ME for offline use.

Having a data plan on your phone will come in handy. Get an eSIM in advance. If you want to buy a local SIM card when you arrive, I recommend Claro.

Colombia Travel Guide: Tours vs. Visiting Independently

It’s possible to visit most major tourist attractions in Colombia independently. There are a few places that are only possible to get to by organized tour (for example, the Rosario islands off the coast of Cartagena). 

Organized tours in Colombia are a great option if you’re on a tight schedule, don’t want to navigate the logistics of public transportation, or are not comfortable speaking Spanish. Viator and Get Your Guide are my recommended platforms for booking tours in Colombia.

Weather in Colombia

Colombia is an equatorial country without drastic seasons. Differences in temperature are due to the wide variety of elevations throughout the country. 

In most touristic destinations in Colombia, the climate ranges from hot and humid to pleasantly cool.

The dry season is generally from December to March and July to August, although this varies slightly between regions.

When to Go to Colombia

The best time to go to Colombia is the dry season, when you’ll be able to fully enjoy all of its natural wonders. 

While holidays like Christmas and Semana Santa (the week before Easter) provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, be prepared for larger crowds and increased prices.

If you’re planning to visit Tayrona National Park on your Colombia trip, ensure it will be open during your travel dates. Historically, the park closes for 15 days in February, June, and October.

On a more general note, now is the perfect time to visit Colombia! The tourism infrastructure has developed enough to be comfortable, but not to the point that travel experiences are no longer authentic.

Colombia Travel Guide: Festivals

Major festivals in Colombia include:

• Pasto’s Black and White Carnival (January)
• Manziale’s Fair (January)
• Barranquilla’s Carnival (February)
• Medellín’s Flower Festival (August)
• Cali’s Fair (December)

There are many smaller festivals that are worth checking out too! Follow local social media accounts to stay up to date on upcoming festivals in Colombia.

Colombia Travel Guide: Money

The official currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP).

As of early 2024, the exchange rate is approximately 3,920 COP to 1 USD. The exchange rate fluctuates so make sure to check the most recent rate.

ATMs (“cajeros”) are widely available. Upon arrival, try several ATMs to identify the one with the lowest transaction fees. Some may have maximum withdrawal limits as low as 150 USD.

Currency can easily be exchanged in major cities, but shop around for the best rate. 

It’s a good idea to carry cash, since many vendors and restaurants will only accept cash. If you prefer using a credit card for other purchases, consider getting one that offers great points for travel-related expenses. I recommend the Chase Sapphire Card. 

Although it’s not as common these days, you may need to notify your bank before being able to use your cards in Colombia.

Colombia Travel Guide: Tipping

While tipping is not obligatory in Colombia, it is generally appreciated. With services like taxis, rounding up the bill is considered polite.

Touristic bars and restaurants might automatically include a 10% tip (“propina” or “servicio”) on the bill. You may tip 10% in restaurants if you were very happy with the service.

While traveling in Colombia, you might come across instances in which individuals provide free services (helping with your bags, etc.) and expect a tip. Usually these amounts come out to a few cents, so I wouldn’t argue about it.

Budget in Colombia

Good news: Colombia is a budget-friendly destination. Larger cities and popular tourist spots tend to be pricier, while towns in the countryside are more affordable. Prices may fluctuate during high seasons or major holidays.

Among the places I visited, San Gil, Santa Marta, and Cali stood out as the most budget-friendly. Minca, Salento, and Guatapé fell into the mid-range. Cartagena, Medellín, and Tayrona National Park were on the higher end.

Food and Drink Budget in Colombia

Local food in Colombia offers the cheapest options, starting at 1 – 3 USD for street food or breakfast and 3 USD for a fixed menu lunch (“menu del dia”). A la carte meals and dinners may cost around twice as much, while upscale or Western restaurants can be closer to 10 USD.

A local beer in a neighborhood bar should be around 2 USD. Cocktails start around 8 USD.

Accommodation Budget in Colombia

For basic accommodation near the city center, anticipate paying 5 – 20 USD for a hostel bed and 10 – 40 USD for a private room with a private bathroom. There’s a huge range of accommodation options, with higher prices offering more luxurious stays.

Transportation Budget in Colombia

Expect to pay 1 – 3 USD per hour of travel on buses in Colombia. Domestic flights generally range from 40 to 200 USD.

Activities Budget in Colombia

Tourist attractions in Colombia vary from free to those with high entrance fees. The cost depends on your specific itinerary and whether you’ll organize activities independently or join guided tours.

Colombia Travel Guide: Accommodation

In Colombia you are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. There’s something to cater to every budget and preference.

Options include hostels, hotels, apartment rentals, luxury resorts, eco-lodges, camping, and glamping. Thanks to Colombia’s mild climate, even budget-friendly hostels often feature pools and gardens, with relaxing hammocks suspended in common areas. If you’d like to stay in a hostel during your Colombia trip, check out my advice on how to select a hostel.

If you’re traveling to hot and humid regions such as the Caribbean coast, ensure your accommodation has AC. 

When it comes to booking accommodation in Colombia, my preferred platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld. These platforms will give you tons of options, with the most competitive prices as well.

Restrooms in Colombia

Hot water showers are not always available in budget accommodations in Colombia. Budget accommodations may also have primitive electric shower heads with only a simple switch to control water temperature. For these showers, adjust the switch only when the water is off! Doing so while the water is running will result in a mild electric shock.

Public restrooms in Colombia often charge a fee, so carry small change. Toilet paper is usually not provided, but there may be a vendor selling some. Dispose of used toilet paper in the waste basket.

Transportation in Colombia

In my opinion, the best way to travel within Colombia is by bus. Colombia’s bus system is excellent and makes it easy to travel between popular tourist destinations. Additional transportation options include collectivos (shared shuttles), taxis, ridesharing apps, and the local bus/metro systems in larger cities.

If you’re on a tight schedule, affordable domestic flights are also available. Colombia is a major flight hub in South America, making it easy to find flights into the country. 

For more detailed information, refer to my comprehensive guide to transportation in Colombia.

Colombia Travel Guide: Food

I found Colombian food to be both delicious and healthy, with generous portions. There is a lot of variety between different regions, but key ingredients include rice, corn, potatoes, yuca, plantains, beans, cheese, meats, and seafood. You’ll find lots of avocados, coconuts, and tropical fruits as well.

I encourage you to eat at local restaurants for a more affordable and authentic experience during your trip to Colombia. To find one, walk a few streets away from major tourist hubs. Look for establishments that appear clean, are popular with locals, and have simple furnishings, often including plastic chairs. 

I recommend trying the “menu del dia” lunch specials. These usually include a soup, main course, and a drink such as fresh juice. Local eateries often display the daily menu options on a chalkboard outside.

If you want to search for restaurants in Colombia in advance, Google Maps is the best way to do so. Tripadvisor and Yelp are not heavily used for restaurant reviews. Keep in mind that places popular with tourists or offering English menus are likely to be overpriced.

Vegetarian options are widely available in larger cities in Colombia. In smaller towns, I’ve had success asking restaurants to substitute meat with beans or eggs. It’s important to clearly communicate the ingredients you cannot consume. I’ve been served soups containing chicken after informing the server that I didn’t eat meat!

Regarding tap water, in many major cities in Colombia the water is safe to drink. However confirm first and when in doubt, purchase filtered water or travel with your own filter.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this Colombia travel guide is helpful as you prepare for your trip! Questions? Comments? Let me know below.

Looking for more Colombia travel tips and destination guides? Head to my Colombia page.

Confirm all logistical and safety information before your trip. Also If you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting me in creating free content for you to enjoy!

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