Travelling in Colombia
Practical information
Landscapes
fauna & flora
Archaeological sites
Native culture
Popular culture
Urban world
rural world
Gastronomy
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Colombia at a glance
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia? Do Colombians speak English? What is Colombia’s currency?
Republic of Colombia
Capital
Bogotá (7,674,366 inhabitants).
Area
1.14 million km2 (5th largest country in Latin America).
Population
50 million inhabitants (3rd largest country in Latin America).
Currency
Colombian peso (COP).
Official language
Spanish.
Fluency in English
Very low skill level.
EF EPI score of 448 (Position in Latin America #17/19).
Colombia, a South American country that has long had a bad reputation due to armed conflict and drug cartels. But since 2006-2007, the situation has changed for the better, so much so that in 2019, the country counted as many visitors as Peru or Chile, with strong growth in tourism!
Colombians speak with a relatively neutral Spanish accent, which makes communication easier (as long as you speak Spanish). But many other languages, mostly indigenous, are also spoken, such as Quechua, Arawak and others.
Colombia is also the world’s number one destination for birdwatching, dancing with Cali as the salsa capital of the world, the Barranquilla carnival (one of the most beautiful in the world!), and Arabica coffee.
Entry formalities and Money in Colombia
What documents do I need to travel to Colombia? Is a visa required for a tourist stay in Colombia? What currency is used in Colombia? How do I pay in Colombia?
Entry formalities
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Consult the dedicated article :
Entry formalities in Colombia
Passport & Visa
Passport valid 6 months after leaving Colombia.
Visa not required for certain nationalities (including E.U. and Canada) for 90 days, with possibility of renewal for a further 90 days.
Proof of exit required
The Colombian authorities require proof of exit from Colombian territory.
Immigration form
Compulsory to fill in the Check-Mig when entering AND leaving Colombia.
Budget & Money
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Read the dedicated article :
Budget & Money in Colombia
Valid currency in Colombia
It is only possible to pay in Colombian peso (COP, symbol: $) locally. ATMs and exchange houses are available in all towns.
Budget (local cost of living)
The cost of living in Colombia is around 2 times lower than in Western countries (food, housing, transport).
It is advisable to use a travel-friendly bank card to avoid paying high commissions and exchange rates on every withdrawal and purchase.
When to visit Colombia
When is the best time to visit Colombia? What is the climate like in Colombia?
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Read the dedicated article :
When to go to Colombia
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
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| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
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| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
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| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
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Colombia is close to the equator. Temperatures therefore change little throughout the year. Unlike Europe, there are no 4 seasons, only 2: the rainy season and the dry season, the timing and intensity of which vary according to geographic zone.
Colombia has not just one climate, but many, due to the variety of its natural environments and changes in altitude. The country is mainly made up of the Andes mountain range, the Amazon rainforest and the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Altitudes range from 0 to 5,776m (Pico Cristóbal Colón in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta).
So, depending on your itinerary, you’ll need a different suitcase. For example, the weather in Bogotá (2600m altitude) is cool and rainy more or less all year round, whereas it will always be hot in the Amazon, with more or less humidity depending on the season.
Health and safety in Colombia
What are the main dangers in Colombia? Is Colombia a dangerous country?
Do I need vaccinations to visit Colombia? What diseases are present in Colombia?
Security
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Read the dedicated article :
Safety in Colombia
Recommendation
Relative caution.
Tourist areas
Tourist areas are generally safe.
Main offences
Petty crime (theft, scams, etc.).
Advice: follow common sense rules. don’t display your valuables in public. There is less risk in the countryside than in big cities. Be careful at night. Stay away from neighborhoods with poor reputations.
Health
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Read the dedicated article :
Health in Colombia
Mandatory vaccine(s)
None from Europe.
Recommended vaccine(s)
Hepatitis A (systematic) – hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies.
Diseases & infections
Malaria (weak evidence of presence).
It’s a good idea to contact your GP for advice. If you wish to be vaccinated, remember to plan ahead, because depending on the vaccine, you’ll need to take several months’ notice.
Start discovering Colombia
Communication in Colombia
What is the state of the telephone network in Colombia? Is there wifi in Colombia?
How good is Colombia’s Internet network?
Internet
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Read the dedicated article :
Telephone and electricity networks in Colombia
Wifi hotspots
Easy access to major cities (restaurants, hotels, etc.).
Fixed connection
Average speed is 5.5Mbps. Fiber is available in major cities.
Mobile Internet
85% of the country is covered by 3G or higher. Only remote areas such as Llanos, Amazonia and northern Guajira are poorly served.
It’s easy to access the Internet in Colombia by purchasing a local sim card, which can then be topped up. WhatsApp is widely used by local tourism professionals. Remember to install it if you haven’t already.
Phone
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Read the dedicated article :
Telephone and electricity networks in Colombia
Code
(00) 57.
Mobile frequencies
GSM 850- GSM 1900 (3G – 4G). Frequencies are not the same as in Europe. Check that your cell phone is compatible.
Recommended supplier
CLARO. Prepaid cards can be purchased in official stores, grocery stores, drugstores, etc.
Please note: after 30 days, foreign phones will be completely blocked and will no longer be usable. You will need to register your phone with the national service beforehand, so that you can continue to use it without restrictions.
Colombia’s power grid and transmission network
How can I recharge my electronic devices in Colombia? How do I get around in Colombia? How good is the road network in Colombia?
Electrical network
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Read the dedicated article :
Telephone and electricity networks in Colombia
Electrical socket
A / B (C / E / F / J in Europe). Electrical outlets in Colombia are not the same as in Europe.
Voltage
110 V (230 V in Europe).
Frequency
60 Hz (50 Hz in Europe).
Check that your various devices are labelled “INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz”. If not, you’ll need a current transformer. Newer devices are generally compatible.
Transport network
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Read the dedicated article :
Transportation in Colombia
Driving
A national driver’s license is usually sufficient for a car rental. But if you can, get an international license. Colombians drive on the right.
Public transport
The bus network is highly developed, as are internal flights, which are affordable.
Roads
Getting around Colombia can be a long process. There are no trains, and goods are transported throughout the country by truck. Depending on the area, road surfaces can be of poor quality. Roads are not lit in the countryside. There are no freeways.
For travel in the big cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira, etc.), it’s very easy to find a cab. Uber-type services are illegal, but are still widely used because they are cheaper. The main ones are Beat, Didi and Cabify.
