Safety and Regional Differences

• Popular tourist areas (Bogotá’s La Candelaria, Medellín, Cartagena, and coffee region) have seen significant safety improvements in recent years, making normal travel safe; however, border areas and some remote provinces still carry risks. Check the latest safety advisories before your trip and avoid regions officially flagged as unsafe.
• City safety tips: Avoid using your phone while walking, wear your backpack in front, use ATMs inside malls, and take rides via apps at night.
• Steer clear of large gatherings and protests. During strike seasons, monitor flight and road conditions closely.

Altitude and Health

• Bogotá sits at around 2,640 meters above sea level. Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water. When hiking in the Cocora Valley, protect against sunburn and stay hydrated.
• The Caribbean coast is hot and humid. Guard against heatstroke and insects. Bring insect repellent when visiting Tayrona National Park.
• If you’re heading to Leticia in the Amazon, get a yellow fever vaccination in advance and use DEET-based insect repellent throughout your trip.

Money and Payments

• Use both cash and cards: Card payments are widely accepted in cities, but street markets and small stalls require cash. Carry small bills under 20,000 pesos.
• Colombian peso denominations are large—always check unit and total prices before paying and keep your receipts. Spend all remaining pesos before leaving the country.
• ATMs have low withdrawal limits and high fees. Make multiple smaller withdrawals, preferably from ATMs inside malls.

Language and Communication

• English is not widely spoken. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases (hola, gracias, la cuenta por favor) will be very helpful.
• Prepaid SIM cards from Claro and Movistar can be purchased with just your passport. Wi-Fi is commonly available in malls and cafés.

Other Details

• Plug types are A and B (US standard), voltage is 110V. Bring a US-style power adapter.
• The “corriente” lunch set is great value, typically including soup, a main dish, and juice.
• Dress modestly when visiting churches—avoid wearing tank tops or shorts.
• Colombia is a top exporter of umbrellas and flowers. Visit Bogotá’s flower market and check out handmade hats as souvenirs.

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Check your visa-free eligibility based on U.S. visa or residency status. Take a screenshot for backup.
• With Bogotá’s high altitude, ensure you get enough sleep in the week before departure and avoid traveling to high elevation while sick.
• Download an offline Spanish dictionary and offline maps. Mark your hotel and embassy locations.
• Prepare a backup bank card and keep it separate from your cash.
• Print a Spanish version of your itinerary and return flight details to ease immigration checks if needed.
• Review visa-free policies and flight schedules one week before departure and adjust as needed if there are policy changes.