Americas · South AmericaUsable guideCountry in South America
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Answers to what travellers most often look up about Colombia.
Cards and cash
ATMs are widely available, with varying withdrawal limits (as of June 2024, unless otherwise noted):
Tipping
A service charge of 10% is generally added to the bill in nice restaurants (if it's not, you should add it yourself).
Spanish
The official language of Colombia is Spanish. Some indigenous tribes in rural areas continue to speak their own languages, though almost all people from those tribes will be bilingual in their own language and Spanish.
It's simple enough to get a SIM card and even an unlocked phone at the international airport in Bogotá, although there is, of course, a price hike.
Mobile networks
Drink only bottled water outside the major cities.
Drink only bottled water outside the major cities. The water in major cities is safe.
Colombians are acutely aware of their country's bad reputation, and tactless remarks about the history of violence might earn you a snide remark (likely regarding your country of origin) and an abrupt end to the…
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, a cosmopolitan city 3 km (two miles) high, with some eight million people sprawling outwards from Andean mountains, where you'll find excellent museums, world-class dining, and most everything one wants from a big city.
the Gold Port and fourth largest city in the nation isn't necessarily that exciting most of the year, but its carnival is the second biggest in the world after Rio de Janeiro's, and is an amazing cultural experience and one hell of a party!
Colombia's third largest city, renowned as the salsa capital of Latin America.
the Heroic City, Capital of the Bolívar department, is Colombia's tourist city par excellence. The colonial architecture and the skyscrapers can be seen together in this city that offers a unique experience of festivals, historic attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
the center of the Zona Cafetera offers the opportunity to visit Los Nevados National Park and to live the coffee plantation experience.
the City of Eternal Spring and capital of the Antioquia department is famous for having a large textile industry, which produces top-quality clothing that is sent all over the world. It's also the birthplace of master painter Fernando Botero, so it houses the great majority of his works.
the lovely city, capital of the Risaralda department, and major city of the coffee region – modern, commercial, and touristic. The famous "naked Bolívar" monument and the Matecaña Zoo are here. Very near to Santa Rosa hot water springs and the National Park of "Los Nevados".
this beautiful, white-washed city is Colombia's religious center. Home to the second largest Easter festival in the world (after Seville, Spain), this town has contributed more Colombian presidents than any other. Bordered by the Puracé National Park and gateway to the archeological sites of San Agustín and Tierra Dentro in nearby Huilla.
Far, far from civilization in the Amazon rainforest, a huge national park explorable via boat, full of strange monkey-infested islands and pink dolphins.
A colossal church built underground in a former salt mine, with passages lined with exquisite sculptures, and a radiant cross rising over the altar of the cavernous nave.
A pre-Columbian city located in the Colombian jungle close to Santa Marta. Built between the eighth and the fourteenth century by the Tayrona Indians. Nowadays only stone circular shaped terraces covered by jungle remain.
a scenic archipelago a short boat journey from Cartagena.
This former prison island in the Pacific Ocean is now a nature reserve open for visitors. There is abundant wildlife like monkeys, snakes, whales and sea turtles. It offers excellent diving conditions.
Colombia's high altitude volcano park offers great trekking.
an idyllic, remote Caribbean Island found halfway towards Jamaica. With the Western hemisphere's second largest barrier reef, beautiful Providencia Island has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Archeological sites in south-western Colombia.
Places in Colombia on the World Heritage List.
Inca road system
Listed 2014
Santa Cruz de Mompós
Listed 1995
Los Katíos National Park
Listed 1994
Chiribiquete National Park
Listed 2018
Tierradentro
Listed 1995
San Agustin archeological park
Listed 1995
San Basilio de Palenque
Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia
Listed 2011
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena
Listed 1984
Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox
Listed 1995
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Listed 2006
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Rugged Andean landscapes and altiplanos containing Colombia's two largest cities, Bogotá and Medellín, beautiful national parks, and coffee plantations.
The lively Colombian Caribbean has its share of attractions with the historic, yet modern, cities of its coast and diving, trekking and exploring opportunities in the jungle and desert.
The eastern endless plains with unique tropical savannas, gallery forests and wetlands, little frequented by tourists.
Colombia's Pacific coast combines tropical forests of the Chocó, the uniqueness of its marine life, Colombia's best party city and the country's religious culture into this potential tourist hotspot.
The beautiful, vast and remote Amazon jungle.
Remote and idyllic tropical islands with great diving opportunities.
Public transport and paid services in Colombia.
By train
There are no intercity trains in the country.
By bus
Travel by bus is widespread and has different levels of quality. Long-distance trips rarely cost over US$55 (one way).
By urban bus
Around the turn of this century urban centers in Colombia saw the development of a highly efficient and neat bus transit systems that are spreading to other countries.
By metro
The only metro system of Colombia is in Medellín, in the Department (state) of Antioquia. It connects the outlying suburban towns with the barrios of Medellín.
By cable car
Since most of the Colombian population lives in the Andes, cable car systems are becoming popular for both commuting and tourist transportation.
By car
Driving is on the right hand side of the road-most cars have standard transmissions. Colombia's fleet is composed mainly of cars with 4-cylinder engines that are of European and Japanese manufacture.
By taxi
The taxi networks in big cities such as Bogotá are extensive. The prices vary a lot between cities, Bogotá for example being relatively inexpensive while Cartagena pricey.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Colombia.
Finding apps for Colombia…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bogota · International · BOG
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bogotá
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 24° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 23° |
| Avg. low | 14° | 14° | 15° | 15° | 14° | 13° | 13° | 13° | 13° | 14° | 14° | 14° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 44 | 71 | 132 | 209 | 207 | 162 | 134 | 108 | 103 | 186 | 165 | 103 |
| Humidity | 75% | 73% | 76% | 80% | 80% | 78% | 76% | 74% | 73% | 79% | 82% | 79% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$315
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelto Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural disasters. Some areas have an increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia, including murder, assault, and robbery. Other crimes, such as drugging, extortion, kidnapping, and armed break-ins—including at hotels and other places tourists stay—also occur frequently in some regions. Street crime occurs throughout Colombia and can quickly become violent. If you are targeted by criminals, do not resist. Police procedures and investigations in Colombia differ from those in the United States, and crimes against tourists are not always prosecuted. This can be a source of frustration for victims. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Colombia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more. Terrorists in Colombia may attack with little or no warning and target: U.S. government facilities Local government facilities Tourist areas and attractions Transportation centers Shopping malls and markets Military and police facilities Hotels Clubs Restaurants Airports Police, military personnel, and their facilities are often targeted, including in large cities. In the past, attacks have included car bombs, grenades, explosive devices placed in buildings or on main roads, and the use of drones. Illegal armed groups, including narcotrafficking groups and terrorist organizations, have increased in number and expanded into more regions of…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta. all of Arauca Department the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela. FCDO currently advises against all travel to Venezuela’s border regions with Colombia. You should not use any of the Colombia-Venezuela land crossings. Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura the municipality of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department the southern part of Córdoba Department the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department the southern part of Bolívar Department Central Colombia FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales If travelling to the tourist site of Caño Cristales, travel by air from the town of…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Colombia.
Travel tipsDiscover the cheapest countries to visit with realistic daily costs for private rooms, street food, and transit in top budget spots.
7 min read
ItinerariesColombia to Patagonia overland is an epic continental journey along the Andes across South America. This route starts from the sunny beaches of the Caribbean and crosses Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureColombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, yet many ecotourists don't consider it when making travel plans.
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Culture & historyThis page is intended for salsa dance lovers who are travelling around Latin America. Surprisingly, it is quite difficult to find good salsa clubs while travelling in Latin America.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsChristopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo; Spanish: Cristóbal Colón) made four voyages from Spain to the Caribbean from 1492 to 1503.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkCoffee is one of the world's most popular drinks, with significant cultural variations. It is also the most consumed psychotropic substance (by number of regular or intermittent consumers) in the world and present…
Wikivoyage
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