Colombia Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Currency
- Colombian Peso (COP)
- Best time to visit
- December to March and July to August are the driest months. Cartagena is sunny year-round. The Coffee Region is lush in the rainy season (April–May, September–November).
Visa requirements
Citizens of 95+ countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per year at immigration offices. Your passport is stamped on arrival.
Getting around
Mountainous terrain makes domestic flights (Avianca, LATAM, Wingo) the fastest way between cities, with long-distance buses covering the rest and no real passenger rail. Bogotá and other cities rely on the TransMilenio/BRT bus systems, Medellín has a metro, and apps like Uber, DiDi and Cabify are popular for getting around.
Safety
Colombia has transformed dramatically — major cities are generally tourist-safe. Stick to established tourist areas, use app-based taxis, and avoid showing expensive items. Research current conditions for border regions. Medellín and Cartagena are the most visited and well-monitored destinations.
Tipping customs
Restaurants usually add a voluntary 10% service charge (propina voluntaria) and will ask if you want to include it—saying yes is customary. Taxi fares are typically rounded up rather than tipped, and small change for hotel porters and housekeeping is appreciated.
Travel tips
Coffee culture is central — visit a finca (coffee farm) to see the process. Internal flights are cheap and save long bus journeys. The metro in Medellín is a fast, safe, and cheap way to get around. Learn Spanish basics — it goes a long way.