Practical information for Colombia
What you need to know before landing: entry rules, money, health, safety, transport, connectivity, language and when to come. Requirements change, so always confirm with official sources before you travel.
Entry requirements and length of stay
Entry requirements depend on your nationality and passport type. Many travelers are visa-exempt for short tourist visits, but Migración Colombia decides admission and the length of your authorized stay at the border. Bring a valid passport or travel document and an onward ticket. Check-MIG is a free Migración Colombia service for pre-registering your trip details; it is currently listed as optional and can be completed from 72 hours up to one hour before travel. Before booking, confirm whether your nationality is visa-exempt and check current requirements with Colombia's Foreign Ministry (Cancillería) and Migración Colombia.
Money, cards and tipping
The currency is the Colombian peso (COP). Banknotes range from 2,000 to 100,000. Cards are widely accepted in cities, but in small towns, on the islands and on the Pacific coast you need cash. Withdraw from big-bank ATMs inside shopping malls, never on the street at night, and decline the conversion the ATM offers: always pay in pesos. Exchange dollars at authorized exchange offices, not with people who approach you on the street. The 10% tip appears on the bill as voluntary: you will be asked whether to include it, and you can say no.
Health, vaccines and altitude
Colombia does not generally require a vaccine to enter the country, but yellow fever deserves special attention because of the epidemiological risk in several regions. The Ministry of Health recommends vaccination if you are traveling to high- or very-high-risk municipalities and, if you have no vaccination record, getting vaccinated at least 10 days before; in very-high-risk areas you may be asked for proof. Check the official map and recommendations before each trip. In hot climates use repellent and mosquito protection. Tap water is usually drinkable in big cities, but confirm locally and prefer safe water in rural or remote areas. Bogotá sits at 2,640 meters: on day one, stay hydrated and take it easy. International health insurance is recommended. The national emergency number is 123.
Safety, realistically
The main tourist routes welcome travelers year-round, but conditions vary by city, neighborhood and rural area. Reduce the risk of theft by not showing off valuables, using formal transport or well-known ride apps, never leaving drinks unattended and not accepting food or drinks from strangers. For rural trips, parks and night travel, confirm local conditions with your lodging, a registered operator and the authorities. In an emergency dial 123, and also check the official Tourist Police channels and your country's consular travel advice.
Getting around
Distances are deceptive: 400 km of mountain road can mean 10 hours by bus. For legs longer than 8 hours, a domestic flight usually costs only a little more than the bus and gives you back a full day. Intercity buses are comfortable, with fierce air conditioning: bring a jacket. In cities, Uber, DiDi and Cabify work alongside taxis. Bogotá has TransMilenio and Medellín has a metro and Metrocable, both with rechargeable cards. In small towns and on the coast, moto-taxis are the norm.
Internet, SIM cards and plugs
Buy a prepaid SIM from Claro, Movistar, Tigo or WOM at the airport or any shopping mall by showing your passport: it is cheap and works well across most of the country. Coverage fails in upper La Guajira, the Pacific coast and the rural Amazon. Power is 110 V at 60 Hz with type A and B plugs, the same as the United States: if you come from Europe, you need an adapter.
Language and etiquette
Colombian Spanish has a reputation for being clear and unhurried, and Bogotá's is among the easiest to understand for learners. Outside hotels and agencies, few people speak English: learning twenty phrases transforms the trip. People use "usted" with strangers in the interior and "tú" on the coast. Saying hello before asking something is not a formality; it is expected.
When to go
Colombia is close to the equator, so altitude matters more than traditional seasons: the same date can mean mountain chill in Bogotá, spring-like weather in Medellín and Caribbean heat in Cartagena. Rainy seasons vary by region and patterns can shift from year to year, so check the live weather on the site and the forecast a few days before. For parks, colored rivers, whales and other natural phenomena, always confirm visiting windows with the official authority or operator, because dates depend on environmental conditions.