Colombia is definitely in our top 3 favorite travel destinations. The moment you set foot on the ground, you can feel that you are in South America. Traveling through Colombia is a sensory delight, and at the end of your journey, it will be difficult to leave this vibrant country behind. Have you already booked your trip, or are you still unsure if Colombia is right for you? Below, we have compiled the most important tips, things to know, and facts for traveling in Colombia.

#1 Book your domestic flights in advance

Colombia is an incredibly large country! We had prepared ourselves to spend many hours on buses, but it turned out to be easier than expected because domestic flights in Colombia are very cheap. Easyfly and LATAM are low-cost airlines in Colombia, and if you book your tickets early, you can often fly for just a few tens of dollars. If you book last minute, the price can increase significantly. Additionally, flying on a weekday is often much cheaper than on weekends.

#2 Speaking Spanish is not necessarily required

It is a fact that very few Colombians speak English. And yes, it can be disappointing when a taxi driver enthusiastically wants to chat with you, and you don’t understand a word. Traveling through Colombia does become more enjoyable if you speak some Spanish, but it’s not necessarily required to get by. The menu in many restaurants is often available only in Spanish, but if you download the Google Translate app in advance, you can translate everything offline in Colombia. If you also want to work on your Spanish during your trip, the Duolingo app is highly recommended. There’s a good chance you’ll speak much better Spanish by the end of your journey!

#3 Traveling in Colombia is safe

Colombia still carries the label of an “unsafe travel destination” for many people, even though a large part of the country is indeed safe for travelers. Some areas in Colombia are indeed unsafe, but those are not the places you’ll be visiting as a traveler. All destinations on our travel itinerary are located in safe areas. Of course, this is not a guarantee that nothing unpleasant can ever happen. In big cities like Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin, you should always be more cautious than in small villages like Palomino and Minca, but the same applies to big cities in some European countries. For example, avoid walking alone in the dark in big cities and make sure to book a hotel in a safe neighborhood. You can find information about safe neighborhoods in our articles.

#4 Don’t just withdraw money from any bank

At many Colombian banks, you can only withdraw a small amount per transaction and then you have to pay a high commission for each transaction. Sometimes this commission can be as high as 15%. Not really a good deal. It’s best to withdraw money from a Davivienda ATM because here you can withdraw up to 2 million pesos – around $1,785 – at once. With many other banks in Colombia, the limit is 600,000 pesos per transaction.

#5 Use Uber in the major cities

Officially, Uber has been banned in Colombia since 2020, but it is still widely used in major cities. The advantages of Uber are significant, especially for foreign travelers. You get a fair price, you can check reviews of the driver, and the driver knows exactly where you want to go. Especially when you want to go to your hotel after a night out, ordering an Uber is safe and very convenient. Buy a local SIM card with some data and install Uber on your phone if you haven’t done so already.

#6 Don’t bring valuable items when going out

Under the influence, you become an easy target for thieves, so make sure that when you go out, you bring as few valuable items as possible. Always keep an eye on your drink and don’t accept drinks from strangers. Most of the time we heard from travelers in Colombia that they were robbed, it happened while they were partying or on their way back to the hotel. We have also been pickpocketed during a night out in Cartagena, fortunately only losing a few small bills that were loose in our pockets. So, bring as little as possible when you go out. For example, don’t put your entire wallet in your bag, just a few bills. Keep your phone securely stored with a zipper and never leave it in your pocket. Better safe than sorry!

#7 You need a universal adapter

Don’t forget to bring a few universal adapters with you on your trip, or else you won’t be able to charge your phone or camera in Colombia.

#8 Local holidays are very crowded

Colombians are increasingly exploring their own country. About 15 times a year, there is a public holiday that falls on a Monday or Friday, giving almost all Colombians three consecutive days off. If you’re in places like Tayrona or Salento during one of these holiday weekends, you should expect it to be very crowded. When Colombians go on vacation within their own country, they often go with the whole family. And by the whole family, we mean grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and even the dogs. Everyone goes! It’s a lot of fun, of course, but it’s advisable to take this into account when planning your trip. Try to avoid being in places like Tayrona or Valle de Cocora on these holidays.

Colombian Holidays 2023
Colombian Holidays 2024

#9 Try to avoid mid-December to mid-January as well

During this period, it’s vacation time for Colombians, and they visit all the beautiful places within their own country. As a result, everywhere becomes much more crowded, and prices for hotels and flights increase. If you have the opportunity, it’s better to choose a different time to visit.

#10 The classic route is easy to travel

Despite tourism being relatively new to Colombia, traveling within the classic route is quite easy. The connections between all destinations are good, and buses for long distances are always equipped with air conditioning and even Wi-Fi, although it’s always a matter of chance if it actually works. If you’re not keen on spending a long time on the bus, you can also travel by plane between many destinations. Curious about the classic route for Colombia? Check out our Colombia travel itinerary.