Colombia travel guide

Before you go to Colombia

Currency: COP $
Emergency number: 123 / 123
Plug type: Type A, Type B, 110V 60Hz
Tap water: Tap water is safe in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and most major cities. Bottled water recommended in smaller towns and rural areas.
Tipping: 10% service often added to bill (propina voluntaria). Tip 5-10% if not included. Round up taxi fares.
Bargaining: Not expected
eSIM: Available
Card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex (limited)
ATM fees: COP 20,000-30,000 per withdrawal — take the maximum the machine allows

Bogotá Colombia's high-altitude capital (2,640m) in the Andes. Historic La Candelaria district, world-class Gold Museum and Botero collection,…
Cartagena UNESCO-listed Caribbean walled city. Colonial Old Town, San Felipe fortress, Getsemaní street art, gateway to Rosario Islands.
Medellín "City of Eternal Spring" in the Aburrá Valley. Famous for its metro/cable car system, Comuna 13 street-art tour, Poblado nightlife, and…
Santa Marta Colombia's oldest surviving city (1525) on the Caribbean. Base for Tayrona National Park, Lost City trek (Ciudad Perdida), Minca…
Cali Salsa capital of the world. Sprawling Pacific-side city with intense nightlife in Juanchito and Granada, Cristo Rey statue, Farallones…
Salento Charming colonial town in the Coffee Triangle. Gateway to Valle de Cocora — home of 60-metre Quindío wax palms (Colombia's national tree) —…
San Andrés Caribbean coral island (770 km from mainland), Seaflower Biosphere Reserve. "Sea of Seven Colors" diving, English-Creole culture, duty-free…
Villa de Leyva Postcard-perfect 16th-century colonial town in Boyacá. Largest cobblestone plaza in South America, weekend getaway from Bogotá, surrounded…
Barranquilla Caribbean port at the Magdalena River mouth. Famous for February Carnival — UNESCO Intangible Heritage, second-largest in the Americas…
Bucaramanga "City of Parks" in the Eastern Andes. Gateway to San Gil — adventure-sport capital — and Chicamocha Canyon, one of the world's deepest.