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Colombia is a stunning country with so much to offer – from amazing hiking trails to incredibly gorgeous white sand beaches to aromatic coffee.
But, as with any new place you visit, it’s important to adequately prepare yourself for what to expect – so we’ve prepared this guide on things to know before visiting Colombia so you can go in fully prepared.
Travel to Colombia is very different from traveling to destinations in Europe, USA or Australia – you have to consider things like vaccinations, exchange rates and local currency, language barriers and safety.
So, go in prepared, and take heed of these Colombia travel tips that you should know before your trip!
Things to Know Before Going to Colombia
It’s Colombia, not Columbia
First thing’s first – before you visit this stunning country in South America, you need to know how it’s properly spelled.
It is Colombia, not Columbia.
Don’t feel bad if you thought it was the latter – it’s a very common mistake.
Colombians are friendly
If you make the effort to learn just enough Spanish to be able to communicate with the locals, you can meet some really incredible people.
This is especially true for people who are guides on the free walking tours, which are very popular in larger Colombian cities.
They are almost always friendly locals, who are eager to introduce you to their cities, and tell you everything about it, including some personal stories.
Colombia is safe to visit, but be on your guard
A lot of travelers are concerned about safety in Colombia. Even though the days of drug cartels and brutal violence are just a dark spot in Colombia’s history, it’s still far from being one of the safest countries in the world for tourists.
However, Colombia is safe to visit, you just need to be mindful of strangers and be on guard in your interactions. Don’t accept drinks from strangers, and be aware that criminals can often pose as police officers and ask for your passport. Just don’t give it to them.
Generally, staying safe in Colombia is not much different to staying safe in big European cities – just use your common sense, and you should be fine.
That means staying away from poor neighborhoods and not venturing far outside tourist centers.
Keep your valuables safe – don’t carry your smartphone and wallet in the back pocket of your jeans. Put them in your jacket or a money belt instead, especially when using public transport.
Don’t wear flashy jewelry, and try not to attract too much attention to yourself. Consider swapping your bulky DSLR for a smaller point and shoot camera or your phone in crowded areas, and carry your backpack kangaroo style (front of body).
Colombia is actually safer than most people think, especially since there is still a lot of police on the city streets.
But it is still important to know what to expect, and to take all the necessary precautions to ensure you stay safe while you’re exploring the gorgeous country.
Learn the phrase “no dar papaya”
The phrase “no dar papaya” which translates to “don’t give papaya” is a Colombian slang term which essentially means “don’t give criminals a reason to target you.”
Don’t zone on your phone in Bogotá
One of my top tips for staying safe in starts before your Colombia vacation begins.
It’s important before you travel anywhere to do some research on safety concerns. You’ll want to gather specifics about the country in general, and also about the areas you plan to visit.
A lot of people post warnings online about the risk of getting your cell phone stolen in Bogotá. This was a significant problem for me: I have absolutely no sense of direction so I rely on my phone for navigation.
In the old days, I would carry a map, but nothing screams “tourist!” like carrying a map around. Well, that and wearing white sneakers.
What did I do? I used my phone very sparingly, and only when I had clear sight around me that it was safe to do so. I made sure my back was against a wall and no one was close to me.
When I used my phone, I made sure to look up to assess my surroundings to be sure it was still safe to have my phone out. If people approached me, I put it away.
I’m happy to say my phone joined me for the flight home from Colombia.
Get Insight from Locals in Medellín
Another great way to learn about safety is by talking with locals.
When you ask where they recommend you go, also ask if there are places where you should not go.
We often focus on the places we want to visit when we travel, but knowing where not to go is just as important.
Medellín is one of the best places to visit in Colombia and there is a lot to do there. You do need to be careful in certain neighborhoods.
Avoid the El Centro Neighborhood at Night
Walking tours are a great way to orient yourself to a new city. I took a walking tour in Medellín and our guide, Juan, gave us some invaluable advice.
He said that we should not go to the downtown area, La Candelaria (locally known as El Centro), at night and to be very careful during the day as well.
The El Centro neighborhood is the area where many of the attractions are in Medellín, and it’s very popular.
By day, it is filled with businesspeople and it’s reasonably safe, though there are pickpockets around.
It’s a good idea to maintain awareness around you at all times and to be sure to have a firm grasp on your belongings. If you are wearing a bag, wear it across your chest or on your chest (for backpacks).
However, after the commuters go home, the downtown area is unsafe and even the locals steer clear of it.
Juan shared the Colombian saying, “dar papaya,” which loosely translated means “you should not put yourself in a position where people can easily take advantage of you.”
So, if an area is the highest risk like El Centro, or “four papayas,” it’s best to avoid.
NOTE: The Get Your Guide tour company offer several days tour of Medellin, many with 5 star reviews. Check out their tours and reviews here.
Beware in San Antonio Square
San Antonio Square (Parque San Antonio) has some beautiful murals that stand out in a city known for its creative street art.
Our guide cautioned us to be wary of gang activity in San Antonio Square even during the day and to avoid the park at night.
It’s best to only visit in groups (like a walking tour group) and to be especially cautious of pickpockets.
Visiting Communa 13
Communa 13 is a great example of a neighborhood that was once the poorest and most violent in Medellín. It is now a place that most tourists visit known for its amazing street art.
Sergio shared a wall of small planters painted with names on them symbolizing the life of the people who disappeared in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Colombian people are very aware of their history. They strive to move past it and to move forward in a positive direction so they can continue to be proud of their country and how far it has come.
When people ask, “is it safe to travel to Colombia?” locals will say a resounding, “yes!” because they are proud to be Colombian and of what their beautiful country is today.
Caution when using crosswalks
Another safety tip I learned from Juan is that “crosswalks are art” in Medellín.
Meaning that drivers don’t often yield the right of way to a pedestrian so be very careful when crossing the street.
I learned this the hard way the next day when I found myself in the middle of the street as a car approached and had to dash for the curb as he went racing past me.
It sure got my heart racing and was a good reminder to be careful.
Right after that incident, a moped rode up on the sidewalk and nearly plowed me down, so caution should also extend to walking on the sidewalk as well.
Keep your eyes open in Cartagena
When you’re traveling, you never know where you might end up.
If you’re like me, you plan for a few things every day, but leave time to explore if you see something interesting.
Don’t make yourself a target by clearly not paying attention. Or conversely, it’s not a good idea to appear fearful by frantically looking around. Simply take a look around as you walk.
I liken this to driving a car. When we’re driving around, we’re constantly scanning our surroundings to make sure there is nothing in our path so we know it’s safe to continue driving.
At first, this takes some practice. But in time, we can do it without even thinking about it. As you build your solo-traveling muscle, you will find the same.
Be careful with alcohol
It’s important to be especially careful when you’re drinking. You want to be sure you are aware of your surroundings and paying attention, and you simply aren’t as focused when you are drinking alcohol.
That’s not to say you can’t have a drink with dinner, but it’s just not a good idea to drink a lot when you’re traveling solo.
While you’re in the restaurant or bar, be sure to keep an eye on your drink at all times.
Especially when you’re traveling solo and don’t have someone else looking out for you, it’s a really bad time to learn what it’s like to get a “mickey” in your drink.
Why you should Uber in Colombia
As a solo female traveler, I do try to limit walking around at night and tend to take a cab or an Uber when I go out.
Uber is technically illegal in Colombia (“technically” because you can find Uber drivers in some of the major cities, like Cartagena, however, you may be harassed by taxi drivers or the police if they are caught).
I prefer Uber over a taxi for a few reasons.
First, because no money changes hands during the ride. I don’t have to figure out how much a ride fare is or think about if the driver turned the meter on.
I can also be reasonably sure a driver is legit. Uber tells me the driver’s name, shares a picture, and the vehicle make and license plate.
However, it’s helpful to know that Uber isn’t legal in Colombia, even though you will find some industrious people still driving with them.
I had no idea when I went there and learned from a local I met while in Cartagena after taking Uber from the airport to my apartment.
Not a lot of people speak English
The native language in Colombia is Spanish, and only about 4% of the population claims they can speak English well.
Which means that you may have a challenging time in the country if you don’t speak any Spanish at all.
So, try to learn at least some useful phrases before your trip. It’s not a difficult language, and the point isn’t to become proficient overnight – just to learn enough that you can communicate with people at restaurants, bars and shops.
This is as simple as taking the DuoLingo Spanish course or watching some TV shows in Spanish to pick up the key phrases.
Get the recommended vaccines and immunization
Keep in mind when planning a trip to Colombia that it has a tropical climate, which is an ideal setting for mosquito-borne diseases to flourish.
Which is why you should do all you can to protect yourself, and ensure you stay healthy throughout your trip.
If you’re only traveling to larger cities that are on a high elevation (above 2,200 meters), you don’t have to worry about mosquito-borne diseases.
But if you want to explore Colombia’s stunning countryside, seaside and the gorgeous national and nature parks, you should at least be vaccinated against yellow fever.
Other vaccines that are recommended for those traveling to Colombia are:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Rabies
- Typhoid
None of these are mandatory for travelers from Europe and North America, but they are highly recommended.
But, if you’re travelling from one of the following countries, or even just had a layover there, you will be required to present yellow fever vaccination certificate:
- Brazil
- Uganda
- Angola
- Democratic Republic of Congo
Mosquitos are everywhere (almost)
We’ve touched upon this in the previous section, but you need to be properly prepared for the amount of mosquito’s you will encounter when you visit Colombia.
The climate in the country is ideal for them, so the pesky insects really are hard to avoid in some locations.
That is not to say they are everywhere. For example, in the cities and high-altitude areas like Salento (the coffee region) they are not a problem at all.
However, if you head to the jungles up north you will likely encounter them.
The best thing you can do to prepare yourself is get non-harmful mosquito repellent. Plus bracelets, candles, lotions, sprays and as many electrical repellents as you can fit in your suitcase.
You should also ask your doctor about anti malaria pills; it’s not something you can be vaccinated against, and it’s a serious issue in western and eastern parts of the country.
Additionally, it is best to wear long sleeve tops and long trousers, especially during and after dusk. If necessary, sleep under a mosquito net to avoid any bites during the night.
It’s best to visit in December – March
Colombia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its summer season runs from December until March.
This is the peak season for tourism since it’s the dry season. It’s when the skies are sunny and there’s little rain, and it’s also when there are cultural celebrations such as Carnival in Barranquilla and Easter.
However, June to September receive cooler weather and less rainfall, and fewer crowds than December to March.
The rainy season is October to November, which can pick up heavy rain storms, thunder, and flash flooding, so probably not the best time to visit in those months.
Prepare for altitude sickness
Some people don’t associate Colombia with mountains, but there are some pretty high areas and altitude sickness is a real issue.
Bogotá sits at 2,640 meters above sea level, and some people experience altitude sickness here. Manizales is 2,160 meters above sea level, and Armenia is at 1,551 meters above sea level.
Pereira, gateway to the Coffee Triangle, and Medellín, are only 1400 meters. This isn’t usually high enough for altitude sickness, but it can get cold here due to the high elevation.
Credit Cards are accepted, but usually come with fees
Gone are the days when you couldn’t use your credit card throughout Colombia, but now there is a catch.
Most places accept credit cards, but it’s common that merchants will add 10% fee for using it.
Cash is still king in the country, and you will need to have plenty on hand for restaurants, bars, cafes and even shops.
The major hotels, shops and fancy restaurants do accept cards, especially in larger cities like Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin, but you will need cash for everything else – bus tickets, taxi fares, souvenirs etc.
If you’re planning on withdrawing money, there is something you should know beforehand, like the variations in the withdrawal limits.
The withdrawal limit on ATM’s in Colombia depends heavily on the bank. It can be as low as 400,000 COP, and it usually doesn’t get higher than 1,200,000 COP.
In addition to that, some ATM’s will also charge you a fee, which ranges from 18,000 and 26,900 Colombian Pesos per transaction.
Perhaps it’s best to look for a Colpatria bank ATM. They don’t charge a fee, and the withdrawal limit is 900,000 COP.
Of course, you should also consider the maximum daily withdrawal limit from your bank. You can usually withdraw the maximum amount from an ATM about 3 times in total.
Do not talk about Pablo Escobar
Most of us got hooked on Netflix’s Narcos show at some point, and were captivated by the world of drug lords in the 80s in Colombia.
However, while the TV show was incredibly interesting for the Western world, Colombians did not like it so much. Our tour guide in Medellin made a point of mentioning it.
Most locals feel that it is not an accurate representation of the troubled times, so definitely avoid mentioning anything about it. There are also mixed feelings about him with the local people – some think he is a hero, and other’s think he is a criminal.
Play it safe and don’t mention him.
Leave your Narcos t-shirts at home when visiting Colombia, and refrain from mentioning the Medellin or Cali cartels at all – especially if you’re visiting either one of those cities.
One of the main issues with the popular show was that it presented Colombia as a drug country, an image that it is trying hard to move away from.
So, be supportive of that, and don’t reference the dark past unless a friendly local starts talking about it first.
Tipping is not expected
In Colombia, it’s not expected to tip your waiter or taxi driver, but we recommend you do it anyway if you were happy with the service.
Even a small tip will be met with gratitude, especially because it’s not a common social custom.
In fancier restaurants in big cities, you will see a service fee on your bill. It’s usually 10% of your order, and that tip is later split equally among all the restaurant staff.
Buses and taxis will get you anywhere, but planes are much faster
Getting around Colombia is easy with buses and taxis. They go pretty much anywhere, and they are very inexpensive.
Buses are especially good for getting around bigger cities, getting to and from the airports, and reaching those smaller places that are outside urban centers.
However, Colombian buses tend to be really slow and uncomfortable, not to mention likely to break down, so we don’t recommend them if you have to cross hundreds of kilometers in one day.
If you’re trying to get from, let’s say Medellin to Santa Marta, it’s best to take domestic flights. One-way tickets are super cheap and planes are a lot faster than the bus.
In this particular case, you can save about 13 hours if you opt to fly.
Be patient
The concept of time in Colombia is different from that of the Western world. So, while it might be unimaginable that a train in Switzerland is 30-minutes late, in Colombia that would be quite normal.
That’s probably going to be the hardest thing to get used to.
Buses run late, so it’s normal to wait a while for your meal in a restaurant, and nobody is surprised if a flight gets delayed for several hours. At least one of our 10 flights in Colombia was late.
If you get caught in such a situation, try to not act like a Westerner. Don’t panic, and keep your cool – adapt to the situation and socialize with the locals.
Maybe grab a cerveza while you wait, if it helps you stay cool.
Learn to salsa
Salsa is more than a dance in Colombia, it’s a way of life. Learn to salsa and you will never be short of finding a dance partner, especially in cities like Medellin or Cali, the Salsa Capital, where salsa bars are frequent.
You can also look for salsa lessons while you’re there!
Pack for all climates
As mentioned earlier, Colombia has some high altitude areas, so be sure to pack for all climates as it can get cold – even in the height of summer.
Remember to pack for the beaches if you’re hitting the Caribbean Coast or Providencia Island, pack your hiking shoes if you’re visiting the mountains for hiking in Colombia, and long and loose fitting clothing if you plan to visit the jungles.
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