Colombia Travel Guide
December–March and July–August are the driest. There's no real winter — altitude sets the temperature, so Bogotá stays cool and Cartagena stays hot year-round.
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Colombia at a glance
Best time to visit Colombia
December–March and July–August are the driest. There's no real winter — altitude sets the temperature, so Bogotá stays cool and Cartagena stays hot year-round.
Peak: Christmas–New Year, Holy Week, and the Medellín Flower Fair in August.
Shoulder season: February–March and September: dry enough, with lower prices.
Visa and entry
Visa-free for 90 days for most Western nationalities. Can extend at Migración Colombia for another 90 days.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Colombia uses the COP ($).
10% propina is often added to restaurant bills — check before adding more. Not expected for taxis.
Getting around
Bogotá's TransMilenio is about COP 3,200 a ride on a Tullave card. Medellín's Metro (about COP 3,500) includes the Metrocable lines up to the hillside barrios.
When a pass pays off: No tourist pass exists. In Medellín, the Metro plus Metrocable on one ticket is the best-value sightseeing in the city.
Local etiquette
Do
- Greet before asking anything — “buenos días” first, question second.
- Carry small notes; change for 50,000-peso bills is often unavailable.
- Order a “tinto” if you want coffee the way locals drink it.
Avoid
- Don't display phones or jewellery openly in crowds — the local phrase “no dar papaya” means don't create the opportunity.
- Don't drink tap water outside Bogotá and Medellín, where it is generally potable.
- Don't accept drinks or food from strangers in nightlife areas.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Meter refusals — use inDrive, Uber or Cabify and pay in-app.
- Card terminals handed over with an amount already entered; check the screen before your PIN.
- “Emerald deal” street sellers in Bogotá — buy only from established shops.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Colombia, Yellow fever vaccination is often recommended for Amazon-region travel, and visitors to Bogotá should allow time to adjust to the high altitude. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Spanish phrases
English is limited outside tourism. Colombian Spanish is often described as clear and easy to follow for learners.
- Hello / good morning
- Hola / Buenos días(OH-la / BWEH-nos DEE-as)
- Thank you
- Gracias(GRA-syas)
- Excuse me
- Con permiso(kon per-MEE-so)
- How much is this?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?(KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Colombia: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Colombia travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Colombia?
- December–March and July–August are the driest. There's no real winter — altitude sets the temperature, so Bogotá stays cool and Cartagena stays hot year-round.
- Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?
- Visa-free for 90 days for most Western nationalities. Can extend at Migración Colombia for another 90 days. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Colombia?
- 10% propina is often added to restaurant bills — check before adding more. Not expected for taxis.
- What currency is used in Colombia?
- Colombia uses the COP ($).
- What power plug and voltage does Colombia use?
- Colombia uses Type A and Type B sockets at 110V / 60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Colombia?
- In Colombia, call 123.
- What time zone is Colombia in?
- Colombia is in the America/Bogota time zone (UTC-05:00).
- What language is spoken in Colombia?
- The main language is Spanish. English is limited outside tourism. Colombian Spanish is often described as clear and easy to follow for learners.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Colombia?
- Bogotá's TransMilenio is about COP 3,200 a ride on a Tullave card. Medellín's Metro (about COP 3,500) includes the Metrocable lines up to the hillside barrios. No tourist pass exists. In Medellín, the Metro plus Metrocable on one ticket is the best-value sightseeing in the city.
- What health precautions should I take in Colombia?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Colombia, Yellow fever vaccination is often recommended for Amazon-region travel, and visitors to Bogotá should allow time to adjust to the high altitude. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Colombia trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Colombia tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.