Discover Colombia
If you asked someone 30-odd years ago what they knew about Colombia, you’d probably get responses relating to drug cartels, danger and of course Pablo Escobar.
Since then Colombia has moved on dramatically. Just take the constant 10% increase in tourists year on year as an example of how this country has changed for the better.
We’ve created this ultimate guide to Colombia to share with you everything that this diverse country has to offer. Decided that Colombia is somewhere you HAVE to visit?
Check out our twelve in-depth guides to learn about the best things to do and see in Colombia.
Is Colombia worth visiting?
Colombia is one of the world’s most diverse countries, boasting two oceans, the Andes mountain range, cultural and thriving cities, flourishing jungles and with that native wildlife.
Housed across Colombia’s 59 national parks, you’ll find over 10% of the world’s animal species, making it a great country to explore if you love wildlife.
If exploring the wilderness is not what you are after, there’s no need to worry. Colombia has a number of energetic metropolitan cities that offer a great food scene, a number of historical sites and innovation spurred by the entrepreneurship that’s flourishing within the cities.
Destinations like Cartagena boast stunning colonial architecture that tells a story of years ago, transporting you back in time as you wander through its streets.
Throughout Colombia, you’ll come across a number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Whether it be whitewater rafting, hiking, kitesurfing, horse riding, or diving…the list literally goes on and on!
Keep reading: Looking for inspiration on where to stay? Check out our list of 43 best places to stay In Colombia to discover the most unique and best-value accommodations out there.
Is Colombia safe?
Despite Colombia’s huge steps towards change, people are still asking the same question – ‘Is Colombia safe?’
In short, it’s safe to travel to Colombia, but you need to be aware of which places are better to avoid. We’ve put together a devoted blog that delves into travelling safely in Colombia. You can use this resource to help you decide whether Colombia is safe enough for you.
Best destinations in Colombia
Top 3 places to visit in Colombia
Colombia is a diverse country offering lots of different opportunities and adventures depending on where you go.
As hard as it is to pick, here are our top three places to visit in Colombia:
Medellin — an incredible and innovative city
Once home to the famous drug lord, Pablo Escobar, Medellin used to be considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Fast forward to now and Medellin has completely transformed itself into a thriving and innovative cosmopolitan city.
The city is considerably safer with a top-notch transport system via its metro system and cable cars, numerous stunning parks and delicious restaurants.
Another great thing about Medellin, due to its location, temperatures remain warm and pleasant, meaning you can visit all year round. If you are in Medellin, we also recommend taking the 2-hour bus journey from Medellin to Guatape as a day trip.
Cartagena — where the Caribbean and Colombia collide
Situated on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena boasts some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in all of the Americas.
Once a crown jewel of the Spanish empire, you’ll clearly understand why it’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site after a few hours of strolling around Cartagena. The 13 km of ancient walls seemed to have preserved the city, giving you the feeling of going back in time.
Being on the coast, Cartagena isn’t too far from some amazing beaches including Playa Blanca. Inevitably though, this kind of beauty has attracted tourists from all over the world, meaning some of the popular sites and beaches can get very busy! It’s only a 1 to 1.5-hour flight from Bogota to Cartagena.
Tayrona National Park — some of Colombia’s best nature
Tayrona National Park sits in northern Colombia at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta where they meet the Caribbean coast.
The national park is a large protected area perfect for travellers looking to explore some of the best beaches in Colombia or adventure through lagoons to picturesque cloud forests. The beaches offer great places to snorkel, whilst the jungles provide opportunities to hike amongst wildlife such as birds, lizards and monkeys.
It takes around 5 hours from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park, while it’s only 3 hours from Barranquilla and less than an hour from Santa Marta.
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
Due to Colombia’s proximity to the equator, temperatures remain stable throughout most of the year. Temperatures do vary depending on altitude, though. The higher you go, the colder it tends to be.
Here’s a rough guide of the average temperatures depending on altitude:
- < 1000 m – More than 24°C (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cali)
- 1000 – 2000 m – ~ 20°C (Medellín, Manizales)
- 2000 – 3000 m – ~ 14°C – (Bogota, Pasto)
Colombia has two seasons, a wet and a dry one. The dry season is between December and March, considered one of the best times to visit Colombia, and the wet season runs from April to June and October to November. July to September can also be a good time to visit because it’s mainly dry, plus it’s whale season!
December to February is the busiest time
However, you won’t be the only person wanting to travel at the best time, so if you chose to visit Colombia between December and February, expect a lot of tourists. With more tourists come higher prices as businesses have the leverage to increase prices.
Travelling outside of these months can save you some money and also provide the opportunity to explore tourist sites without thousands of other tourists.
How to get around in Colombia
Colombia is a huge country with plenty of amazing destinations to explore. Around a third of the country is taken up by the Amazon Jungle where moving around is extremely difficult, but luckily the rest of the country isn’t quite as tricky to navigate.
Here’s a short overview of the main transport options:
By bus
When travelling around Colombia, one of your main forms of transport will be its extensive bus network. Long-distance buses tend to be relatively comfortable with reclining seats, air conditioning and toilets.
You’ll be looking for comfort as journeys between the big cities are pretty long. For example, Medellin to Cartagena is 14 hours, and Bogota to Cali is 10 hours.
The main bus companies in Colombia are Expreso Palmira, Bolivariano and Trejos, which also provide good service and easy-to-use websites.
A big tip when travelling by bus in Colombia is to wear warm clothes. We all love a bit of air conditioning, but those buses get seriously cold. Ten hours in arctic temperatures isn’t exactly going to be enjoyable!
By plane
Flying in Colombia is a popular option, especially for those short on time or who have a larger budget to play around with.
There are a number of domestic airline providers including the two biggest Avianca and Copa. VivaColombia is also a big player in the airline space and tends to offer the cheapest flights, but watch out for the luggage restrictions.
The majority of the time flights are more expensive than the bus, but it’s worth checking just in case, because the cost-time ratio may be worth it. Do keep in mind that taking a short-haul flight can be up to ten times more polluting than taking a more environmentally-friendly option like the bus.
By colectivo
Colectivos are small minivans or truck-style vehicles that are mainly used for short journeys within a city or between two that are nearby. This form of transportation is predominantly used by locals, meaning they’re usually cheap.
Make sure to agree on the price to your destination before getting in, though. They’re definitely not as comfortable as the bus and don’t have much space for your luggage. Because they don’t have set pick-ups and drop-offs, they can get you closer to where you want to be than the bus.
A big downside though is that they don’t leave until they’re full, so you could be waiting around for a while!
By car
Although renting a car in Colombia isn’t a very popular choice amongst travellers, it doesn’t mean it’s not an option. You’ll need a passport, credit card and international driver’s license in order to rent a car with prices starting from around $17.
Sure, having your own car gives you the freedom to explore at your own leisure, but do consider that the road quality between some cities isn’t great and Colombians aren’t known to be the most careful drivers. Bus travel is also very convenient, so we would recommend using the available transport.
By train
Colombia doesn’t have a train network, so unfortunately this isn’t an option!
Entry requirements and visa for Colombia
We all love to hear it, travelling to Colombia is relatively stress-free when it comes to immigration and Visas. A large number of countries are able to enter Colombia visa-free for a period of up to 90 days.
This includes countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand and those within the European Union, amongst others. These countries are all included in the list of countries that don’t require a Visa.
In addition, all visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry, so make sure to renew your passport if it’s going to run out soon.
Proof of exit
Sometimes Colombian border force will ask you for proof of exit from the country in the form of a plane, bus or boat ticket. Other times they won’t. If you don’t want to take your chances but don’t know when you want to leave Colombia, there’s a way around it.
‘Rent’ a plane ticket for $12. Best Onward Travel book a real plane ticket for you that is valid for 48 hours. It’s 100% legal and safe.
Must-try food in Colombia
Colombia’s food scene varies depending on which region you’re visiting, meaning if you’re backpacking through Colombia you’ll be treated to a variety of dishes and flavours.
Colombia is a country rich in natural ingredients which you’ll find in their predominantly meat-based dishes and delicious soups.
Of course, we couldn’t write about Colombia and not mention the coffee. Coffee in Colombia boasts a mild, well-balanced flavour that is popular all around the world. Their average annual coffee production is 11.5 million bags, the third highest in the world.
Here are some of our favourite dishes you have to try whilst you’re in Colombia:
- Bandeja Paisa — is the national dish of Colombia. It was originally created to provide peasant workers with enough energy for a hard day’s work. Nowadays it’s a substantial, high-calorie lunchtime meal which is perfect for anyone looking for a challenge. It consists of rice, plantain, arepa (corn cakes), avocado, minced meat, chorizo, black sausage, fried pork rind and then topped with a fried egg. We wish anyone who takes this dish the best of luck!
- Mondongo Soup — you’ll find this dish served in most Colombian restaurants, but the dish may not be for everyone. It consists of diced tripe (typically the stomach of a cow, slow-cooked chicken or beef stock and lots of vegetables. When in Rome as they say!
- Empanadas — are a popular snack throughout both Central and South America. They are typically deep-fried pastries stuffed with a variety of different fillings, from meat with potatoes to vegetarian options. If you’re looking for a healthier choice, you can also find baked versions too. Empanadas are usually super cheap and the perfect snack to tide you over till dinner.
Essential travel tips for Colombia
Here’s a selection of the best tips and pieces of information that may make your trip to Colombia that bit easier:
Paying with Colombian Pesos in Colombia
Colombia uses the Colombian Peso. The last time we checked (June 2023), $1 was equivalent to around 4170 COP.
It’s good to always have some cash on you. Not all establishments take cards. You’ll also need cash for taking the bus, markets and tips too.
ATMs
In all of the big cities, there will be plenty of ATMs available to withdraw money and in more rural areas, you may have to rely on bank branches instead.
Most ATMs in Colombia charge between 10,000 and 14,000 COP to withdraw money. However, BBVA, Davivienda and Colpatria don’t apply charges to certain cards, so try these ones first.
Buying a sim card in Colombia
There are three main mobile providers in Colombia — Movistar, Tigo and Claro. You’ll be able to find stores for these providers all over Colombia, and in most of the international airports. Claro is the most popular of the three and offers great coverage, speed and packages.
Although it can be tempting to buy a sim card when you first arrive in a country, if you’re on a budget, I would avoid doing this. The sim cards at the airport are often a lot more expensive than buying it in a store in the city. They know that people will pay for convenience!
Colombia’s language cheat sheet
The language spoken in Colombia is Spanish.
It’s always good to know a few essential words before travelling to a place, so here are a few to get you started:
- Hello – Hola
- Thank you – Gracias
- Please – Por favour
- Sorry – Lo siento
- Beer – Cerveza
The perfect packing list for Colombia
For the majority of your time in Colombia, you’ll probably be enjoying warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. Meaning you’ll need cool and light clothes.
However, if you’re venturing to higher altitudes, make sure to bring some warmer clothes, especially for the nighttime. A rain jacket is also a good shout if you’re travelling outside of the dry seasons.
Aside from the essential travel gear, here are some that have become permanent fixtures on our packing list:
- Reusable water bottle – they’re better for the environment and can save you money on water.
- A portable charger – there’s probably going to be a time when your phone’s battery is on red, at a time that you desperately need it.
- An adaptor – Colombia uses plugs A and B, the same as the main plugs used in North and Central America. A universal travel adaptor is a great buy if you’re travelling between different continents.
Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.
