According to Colombian immigration regulations, every foreign passenger entering the country must have a valid passport, a round-trip flight ticket, and an address for their stay. Additionally, it is mandatory to complete the digital Check-Mig form on the Migración Colombia website before entering and leaving the country.
A visa is required to enter Colombia unless you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Argentina, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, United States, Finland, France, Great Britain, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, and foreign residents of Canada and the United States.
If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you will be granted a stay of 90 days without the need for a visa. If you wish to stay longer, you must obtain a visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. It is possible to leave the country and re-enter to extend your stay, but only for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
We recommend making copies of all your important documents (visa, passport, credit cards, flight tickets, etc.). If they are lost, replacing them will be much easier.
Colombia offers air connections with Europe and North and South America. Colombian airlines include Avianca, Latam Airlines, Clic (formerly EasyFly), Wingo, Satena, and JetSmart, offering connections with Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Washington, Mexico City, Curaçao, Caracas, Aruba, Panama City, San José (Costa Rica), Havana, Quito, Guayaquil, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo.
(Note: Viva Air has ceased operations.)
Additionally, American Airlines, Spirit, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, and Delta operate flights from their hubs in the United States. Aerolíneas Argentinas, Copa Airlines, and Latam Airlines fly from South America; Copa Airlines from Central America; and Avianca, Iberia, Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa from Europe.
Colombia has road connections with Venezuela and Ecuador. From Venezuela you can enter Cúcuta from San Antonio del Táchira and Maicao from Maracaibo. Less popular entry points are Puerto Carreño (Colombia) and Puerto Páez or Puerto Ayacucho (Venezuela).
Ecuador is connected from Tulcán to Ipiales in Colombia via the Pan-American Highway. It is also possible to reach Colombia from Brazil through Leticia via river crossings from Tabatinga. Boats also travel from Manaus (about four days) and Iquitos in Peru.
Colombia has four main ports: three on the Caribbean Sea — Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta — and one on the Pacific Ocean: Buenaventura. Some shipping companies dock in Colombian ports, particularly Cartagena, arriving from the Gulf of Mexico and various locations in Europe.
All of Colombia is in the same time zone: UTC-5. Unlike many countries, Colombia does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains constant throughout the year relative to the Greenwich Meridian.
Colombia uses 110-volt electricity with flat two-pin plugs (US type). It is advisable to bring an adapter.
Currently, the international departure tax is usually included in the airline ticket price by most airlines. In exceptional cases where it is not included, international tourists (non-residents) may be exempt or required to pay at the airport counter, although the general practice today is that it is already included in the ticket.
Most vaccinations are not required to travel to Colombia. However, travelers visiting jungle areas and natural parks are advised to be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and tetanus.
The yellow fever vaccine is NOT mandatory to enter the country, but it is required to visit certain natural parks and regions such as La Guajira, Santa Marta, Aracataca, Ciudad Perdida, Tayrona National Natural Park, southern Amazon areas, Gorgona National Park, Nuquí, Caño Cristales, and Cerros de Mavecure.
We recommend receiving this vaccine at least 10 days before traveling. Please note that this vaccine is not suitable for HIV-positive individuals, pregnant women, adults over 60 years old, or infants under six months.
Tipping is a personal matter; the following is a suggested guideline:
• Restaurants: A suggested 10% service charge is often included in the bill after consulting the customer.
• Airport porters and bellboys: Usually about USD 2 per bag.
• Taxis: Tipping is not expected. In cities like Bogotá taxis use a meter; in other cities the fare is agreed upon beforehand.
• Drivers: US$ 3 to 10 per day
• Guides: US$ 10 to 15 per day
Colombia is located near the equator, which results in relatively small climate variations throughout the year. Temperatures vary according to altitude, creating different climate zones:
• Warm: Temperatures above 24°C below 1,000 meters (about 80% of the territory).
• Mild: Temperatures between 17°C and 24°C between 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
• Cold: Temperatures between 12°C and 17°C between 2,000 and 3,000 meters.
• Páramo (altiplano): Temperatures below 12°C above 3,000 meters.
• Colombia has two main seasons: dry (“summer”) and rainy (“winter”). The Andes region typically has two dry seasons (December–March and July–August) and two rainy seasons. The Llanos region has a dry season from December to March, while the Amazon is rainy almost year-round.
ATMs are available in major cities. American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diners Club are accepted.
The Colombian currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Banknotes are available in $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and $100,000, and coins in $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1,000. The $1,000 banknote has been almost completely replaced by a coin.
It is recommended to exchange money only at authorized exchange houses, banks, or hotels, never on the street. US dollars and euros are the easiest currencies to exchange.
Traveler’s checks are rarely used today and are extremely difficult to exchange; therefore, they are not recommended. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
In Bogotá, as in any major city, theft and robbery can occur. It is advisable not to carry large amounts of cash, jewelry, or valuables.
General Safety tips
• Use the hotel safe.
• Never display large amounts of money in public.
• Carry backpacks in front of you.
• Be cautious of people offering unsolicited help.
• Never accept food or drinks from strangers.
• If approached by someone claiming to be a police officer, verify their identity in a busy area or at a police post (CAI).
El Dorado Airport (Bogotá) is the main international hub. The most frequent domestic routes connect Bogotá with Cartagena, San Andrés, Santa Marta, Riohacha, Cúcuta, Montería, Medellín, Cali, Pasto, Neiva, Pereira, Armenia, Valledupar, and Leticia.
Major domestic airlines include Avianca, Latam, Satena, Clic, JetSmart, and Wingo.
Colombia also has an extensive road network, and many bus routes operate overnight services.
Taxis are yellow and white. White taxis are primarily for tourism and are often available at hotels. It is not recommended to hail taxis on the street; instead, ask the hotel to request one for greater safety.
Drivers should charge the amount shown on the taximeter (in Bogotá according to the unit table) or the agreed fare in cities without meters.
In the Andes, bring warm clothing for cooler nighttime temperatures. Wear layers made of breathable fabrics. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. If visiting the jungle, bring waterproof clothing. At higher altitudes and on the coast, a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential.
Basic Packing List
• Waterproof Jacket.
• Comfortable shoes.
• Clothing for both warm and cool weather
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sunscreen and hat
• Passport
Local cuisine is varied. Try the “menú del día” offered in many restaurants.
SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
• Ajiaco: chicken stew with potatoes, corn, cream, and capers.
• Arepas: corn cakes.
• Bandeja Paisa: meat, avocado, rice, fried plantain, and beans (typical of Medellín).
• Seafood: coconut rice and lobster on the Caribbean coast.
• Tamales: corn dough filled with meat and vegetables cooked in banana leaves.
• Empanadas: fried pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
• Sancocho: thick soup with meat, plantain, cassava, and vegetables.
• Tinto: small black coffee.
• Hot chocolate with cheese.
• Aguardiente: anise-flavored sugarcane spirit.
• Canelazo: warm cocktail with cinnamon and panela.
• Aguapanela: sugarcane drink with lime.
• Chicha: fermented corn beverage.
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