☕ Colombia

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 38% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Your passport decides which visa rules apply, and the official site below has the details. Before you book, an embassy or the Colombian foreign ministry can confirm them. Air travellers are also asked to complete an online check-in form called Check-Mig ahead of the flight, and the immigration authority explains who has to do so. Pack a return ticket, hotel details, proof of funds and a passport with 6 months of validity. Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended when visiting certain regions and national parks, so consult a doctor.

Culture and safety - take note

Warmth and expressiveness are typical of Colombians, who take pride in their culture. A handshake is the usual greeting, and friends exchange a kiss on the cheek. Safety has got better but still calls for care. Keep phones and jewellery out of sight, take ride-hailing apps or official taxis, and turn down drinks offered by strangers, since drink-spiking happens. Store a copy of your passport and a card in separate places. Governments advise against travel to some border and remote regions, so before you travel, consult other advisories and the travel advice of your own government. Penalties for drugs are severe. Bogota sits high, at about 2,600 m, so rest on your first day. If the bill carries no service charge, tip about 10%. Halal food is limited.

Emergency

123 for all emergencies.

Good to know

Cards, ATMs and exchange

The currency is the Colombian peso. Canadian advice says credit and debit cards are widely accepted, ATMs are best used inside banks, malls or other public places during business hours, and rural ATMs may be limited. UK advice says to change US dollars and euros only at banks or authorised exchanges, not on the street, and to keep card receipts to show customs on leaving.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, public drinking and rallies

Drug penalties in Colombia are severe, say Canadian and UK advice, and both tell visitors to pack their own bags and never carry items for others. UK advice says drinking alcohol in public spaces is illegal, and that yage (ayahuasca) tea sold to tourists is unregulated and linked to reports of assault, robbery and serious illness. Canadian advice says foreigners may be deported for joining political rallies or demonstrations.

Taxis and scams

Licensed taxis only

Express kidnappings, assaults and robberies in unlicensed taxis are reported in Colombia, and UK advice says to book licensed taxis by telephone or online, or through your hotel, rather than hailing one in the street. At Bogota's El Dorado airport, only authorised taxis may pick up passengers at the terminals.

Card overcharging

Overcharging on cards happens in Colombia, particularly in popular tourist areas, according to Canadian advice, which suggests requesting a printed price list before you order. It also recommends shielding the keypad when you key in your PIN and checking account statements for unauthorised transactions.

Who can help

local government

Tourism Police (Policía de Turismo), National Police of Colombia

Helps with: Specialised police group for tourism. Its listed duties include watching over tourist attractions, giving tourists information and guidance, and handling their complaints. The phone is the police administrative switchboard; emergencies: 123.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Colombia. The police page also gives the national emergency number 123.

Phone: +57 6015159000

Address: Calle 14 Nro. 62-70, Zona Industrial, Puente Aranda

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Cruz Roja Colombiana (Colombian Red Cross)

Helps with: Colombia's national Red Cross society, a private non-profit humanitarian body. Its work includes a blood bank, disaster risk reduction, health care and humanitarian projects.

Who qualifies: People in Colombia needing its humanitarian, health or disaster services; contact the national headquarters or a local branch.

Phone: 601 794 6566

Address: Av. Cra. 68 # 68 B -31, Bogotá

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Colombia

Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Colombia it works with the government on migration management and protecting people on the move, and on solutions for displacement.

Who qualifies: Migrants and displaced people in Colombia, and government partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +57 1 6397777

Address: Carrera 14 N° 93B-46, Bogotá

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency number 123 (police and ambulance)

Helps with: Reaches the police and the ambulance service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 123

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Fire emergency number 119

Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Colombia. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 119

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Cartagena CartagenaBoat trips run from this Caribbean port to the Rosario Islands, and the walled colonial old town is lined with colourful balconies.Photo: Sgonzalezb, CC BY-SA 3.0 Bogota BogotaMonserrate hill, the Gold Museum and the La Candelaria quarter are what this high-altitude capital, the main arrival hub, is known for.Photo: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 Medellin MedellinThis spring-like city lies in a valley among mountains and is known for a modern food scene, cable cars and the street art of Comuna 13.Photo: Daniel-1-1, CC BY 3.0 Coffee Region (Salento) Coffee Region (Salento)Coffee farms cover green hills here, the town of Salento is colourful, and the Cocora Valley holds tall wax palms.Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Santa Marta and Tayrona Santa Marta and TayronaBeside Tayrona National Park, where jungle and beaches meet, this old Caribbean city is the place to base yourself for the Lost City trek.Photo: CristhianVarela, CC BY-SA 4.0 San Andres San AndresCoral reefs, an easygoing island culture and a sea with many shades of blue are what this Caribbean island is known for.Photo: Mr.Jhosimar, CC BY-SA 3.0

City selection based on: ProColombia / migration arrival data by city (via Colombia Reports, La Republica); travel guides

Festivals and events

festival

Feria de Cali

25-30 Dec 2026 · Cali

A fair at the year's end in the salsa capital.

festival

Barranquilla Carnival

6-9 Feb 2027 · Barranquilla

This is the biggest carnival in Colombia and has UNESCO heritage status.

festival

Feria de las Flores

around Aug 2027 · Medellin

Medellin hosts a flower parade featuring silleteros.

festival

Feria de Cali

25-30 Dec 2027 · Cali

A fair at the year's end in the salsa capital.