Read update
- There Are More Things To Know When Visiting Colombia
Summary
- Eat at the hotel for cleanliness and safety.
- Bring enough cash for daily activities, especially in remote areas.
- Learn basic Spanish to navigate the country and communicate effectively.
Visiting Colombia for the first time can be exciting, but just like any destination worldwide, there are some tips one needs to know before visiting. Language, weather, money, and transportation can be quite confusing, especially in Colombia. Still, with these tips, one will be able to avoid a lot of difficult situations in the country. It doesn't matter if you're here for ten days or three; Colombia is a gorgeous country with endless things to experience. Whether it's someone's first time or they need a refresher, you can't go wrong with following these essential tips for traveling to beautiful Colombia!
UPDATE: 2023/11/25 16:36 EST BY NOAH STAATS
There Are More Things To Know When Visiting Colombia
This article has been refreshed with new information regarding a trip to beautiful Colombia, as well as expanded talking points for previous suggestions. Remember to stay out of bad neighborhoods at night, bring enough cash for day trips, learn some Spanish, and have plenty of fun!
13 Eat At The Hotel If You're Worried About Cleanliness
For those coming to Colombia and nervous about food and water cleanliness, it's always a safe bet to eat with your hotel or resort and get water via gift shops inside them. Although most places in bigger Colombian cities are clean and safe, some smaller villages do not abide by strict health and sanitation regulations when preparing or serving food and drinks. To steer clear of food-borne illness, make sure and book restaurants with good reviews and clean kitchens/dining rooms.
- It's generally better to eat at the hotel if you're staying somewhere off the beaten path.
Tayrona National Park is a fun day trip idea for visitors to Colombia.
12 Make Sure And Keep Some Cash Ready
One thing many visitors to Colombia forget is to bring enough cash for daily activities. Because debit and credit cards are often not accepted or take a large conversion fee, getting cash from the bank or at your hotel may be the better option. Of course, in bigger cities, there will be more accessibility and availability to ATMs and stores taking credit cards, but in remote towns and villages: bring cash.
That said, keep all cash somewhere safe and hard to get to. Pickpocketing is prevalent here, as well as violent assault in poorer areas.
- Because of steep ATM and credit card fees, it's best to bring enough money for everyday food, attractions, and transportation when visiting Colombia.
11 Learn Some Spanish Words
Colombia is a place where the majority of the population speaks only Spanish. In a place like Bogotá - the capital city, most people only speak Spanish, which means it can be difficult to get around if one only knows English. While one does not necessarily need to know how to speak the language, some basic words will go a long way and help one better get around the country.
- Learning basic Spanish will go a long way when coming to Colombia.
10 Taxis Are Cheap, But Buses Are Cheaper And Safer
Buses are Colombia's main means of transportation, and they are incredibly cheap and safe. Taxis, on the other hand, are also cheap, but a few inconveniences come with them. First, they can be unsafe, as fake taxi drivers can rob passengers. Apps such as Uber and Easy Taxi are illegal in the country, but they are still in operation and are the safest ways to get taxis.
- Taking the bus is often cheaper and safer than taxis while in Colombia.
9 Avoid Lonely Areas, Especially At Night
Just like many other amazing destinations worldwide, Colombia experiences increased crime, which is why one must exercise extreme caution when visiting. A good rule is avoiding lonely areas, especially at night. For the first trip, travelers can stick to the popular tourist destinations around the country, which are usually more crowded, to avoid being an easy target.
- Tourists to Colombia are not recommended to venture out into lonely/quiet areas at night.
8 Avoid Unnecessary Display Of Wealth
Showing unnecessary displays of wealth, especially in a country like Colombia, may be dangerous. The country's economy is bad, which has made many people living there desperate. It is advisable to avoid putting on too many accessories or carrying large amounts of money around to avoid drawing too much attention to oneself.
- Wearing fancy clothes, jewelry, or other accessories in Colombia can get you into trouble at night or in certain areas.
7 Prepare An Itinerary To Follow Before Visiting
Image by David Lopez from Pixabay
Colombia is very big and endowed with plenty of natural and man-made attractions, which means there are plenty of things to see and do here. Without a proper itinerary of what to do in the country, one can find it difficult to get the most out of their visit. During the planning process, make a list of things to do in the country and follow that itinerary when in the country. There will be more to do, but it is better to have a plan rather than randomly deciding what to do.
- Planning before you come here can help ease frustration due to Colombia's vast offerings.
6 The Weather Can Be Unpredictable, So Come Prepared
Colombia experiences two major seasons, which are rainy and dry. But the weather is not usually not dependent on the time of the year but on elevation. The weather can easily change from sunny to rainy in some parts of the country with higher elevations, like Bogotá. The temperature is also known to sometimes rise from as low as 4 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius on some days. Some parts of the country, such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, experience lots of sunshine all year round. This means at any time of the year; one can experience all four seasons in Colombia. With such diverse and unpredictable weather, one has to come prepared to face any type of weather in this country.
- The weather is unpredictable in Colombia, with wild changes in temperature being common.
5 Never Talk About Drugs, Especially Cocaine
One important thing to always avoid doing in Colombia is talking about drugs. Drug production and trafficking continue to increase in this country, and drug is always accompanied by crime. This makes it not just a national issue but a global issue for which Colombia plays a major role as it is one of the major producers of cocaine in the world. In 2021, the production of coca leaves which is the main ingredient for cocaine, increased drastically. To avoid getting into a difficult situation, pretend not to know anything about drugs in Colombia and instead focus on enjoying the amazing things the country has to offer.
- Joking or discussing cocaine can and will get you in trouble with law enforcement in Colombia.
4 Haggle Before Buying Something
The asking price of a product in Colombia may not always be the actual price but just the seller trying to get more profit from tourists who may not know the price. To avoid getting ripped by sellers (who always know a gringo when they see one), employ the skill of bargaining when purchasing something. Buying something $5 less than the initial asking price is not uncommon.
- It's worth it to try and bargain with vendors while shopping in Colombia.
3 Altitude Sickness Is Real In Colombia
In Colombia, like many parts of South America, high altitude is something that one often has to worry about as the country is filled with many mountains. Bogota, the country’s capital, rises to an elevation of 8,660 feet, making it one of the highest cities in the world. One important tip to help deal with altitude sickness in Colombia is to always stay hydrated when heading to places with high altitudes. Adventurers seeking to go rock climbing or visit higher places can also include other substances like vitamins and minerals to cushion the effects of the high altitudes. Alcohol, caffeine, and other dehydrating substances should also be avoided when heading to higher elevations.
- Because of the possible 8,660 feet of elevation in Colombia, it's not uncommon for altitude sickness to ravage through groups vacationing to the country.
2 It’s Not Mandatory To Tip
In hotels, bars, restaurants, and other service centers around Colombia, tipping is not usually mandatory or expected, unlike in other countries. Nicer restaurants usually include a 10% service charge automatically on the bill. Of course, if the service was exceptional, it does not hurt to give the service person some extra change. Tipping taxi drivers is also not a thing as passengers are only required to pay the amount on the meter; still, the extra tip is always appreciated. In most cases, tips cost between 2,000 and 5,000 Columbian Pesos, equivalent to a dollar. That's like nothing to most tourists, but the locals in Colombia appreciate it so much.
- Adding a tip (although appreciated) is not required in Colombia.
1 Be Careful On The Roads
The traffic in Colombia can be chaotic. Drivers here are usually impatient and aggressive and won’t stop for anybody. To avoid getting into a dangerous situation on the road, it is important to be careful on the roads. With dangerous roads and long traffic jams, it will be better to avoid driving in Colombia and just stick to using taxis and buses.
- Driving can be difficult here, especially regarding other impatient and volatile drivers.