Vibrant culture, rich history, and gritty reputation draws crowds from all around the world to Colombia. It has become a travel hotspot, especially among young adventurers. Not sure what to expect when you touch down in Colombia? With our Colombia travel guide, you are in great hands. Whether you’re looking for the best cities or the best beaches in Colombia, we have got you covered.

From exploring ​​the beautiful Sierra Nevada National Park on a lost city trek in Colombia to enjoying the street art in Bogota to partying the night away in Cali, you will have an amazing time. It does not matter whether you spend one week in Colombia or more, a fun time is guaranteed.
Just check out our recommendation on how many days to spend in Colombia. While you are at it, also find out when to visit Colombia. We hear Colombia in March is particularly awesome. For more inspiration, check out our tours in Colombia.

Top Destinations in Colombia

Discover the highlights of Colombia.

Trek the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida

Trek the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida

Spend 4-6 days trekking around Sierra National Park, searching like an intrepid explorer for the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida. Soak up the natural beauty, enjoy the historic sights, and learn more about indigenous villages and ancient Tayrona culture. View Tours

Explore the Marine Life in San Bernardo

Explore the Marine Life in San Bernardo

Spend your days on a beach under the palm trees, sipping on rum and snorkeling. On this 20-day adventure around Colombia’s best-loved spots, you will get to experience this paradise. Exploring marine life on the stunning San Bernardo archipelago. View Tours

View the Stunning Landscape in Cocora Valley

View the Stunning Landscape in Cocora Valley

Enjoy a delicious cup of Colombia coffee before you spend the day hiking in the beautiful Cocora Valley. Home to the national tree of Colombia - a waxy palm that stretches 60 meters into the sky, and some of the country’s most outstanding biodiversity and wildlife. View Tours

What to do in Colombia

Read all about the top things to do in Colombia.

15 Fun Things To Do in Bogota

15 Fun Things To Do in Bogota

Bogota, the capital city of Columbia, is such an exciting and diverse place it easily rivals New York with its cosmopolitan atmosphere and busy cultural calendar. There's never a shortage of things to do in Bogota. If you're planning on visiting the city, ...Read more

12 Things To Do On A Short Trip To Colombia

12 Things To Do On A Short Trip To Colombia

While Colombia may not have always been a popular tourist destination, the country has been attracting more and more visitors over the years particular after the 1990s. The country offers some incredible excursions and tour options - from coffee tasting a ...Read more

Colombia at a Glance

Quick facts about Colombia.

CAPITAL CITY

The capital city of Colombia is Bogota. It is the third highest capital in South America, and is home to a bustling creative scene. Wander the cobblestones, explore the colonial architecture, and enjoy the stunning street art.

SIZE

1.139 million km². It is actually twice the size of France and although the country’s bus system is improving, traveling around is best done by internal flights.

COUNTRY CODE

+57. If you are calling Bogota, simply add the area code 601 after the country code followed by the phone number.

CURRENCY

Colombia uses the Colombian peso. Although ATMs and cards are pretty common in cities, you are going to need cash in rural areas. If you are in the Amazonas region, bank branches can be hours away, so make sure to withdraw enough cash while you are still in the city.

MAIN AIRPORT

El Dorado International Airport in Bogota is Colombia’s main airport. Situated 12 kilometers from the city center, it is also one of the busiest and biggest airports in South America. CODE: BOG CLOSEST CITY: BOGOTA

VISAS

If you are traveling as a US citizen, you can visit or work in Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa. For other nationalities, we recommend checking the travel advisories or inquiring about visa requirements at the Colombian embassy in your country.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Colombia is Spanish. Although Latin and South American Spanish can sound different to European Spanish, much of it is transferable, and knowing the basics can go a long way.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

If you only want to remember one emergency number in Colombia, it is 123. This will get you to all the emergency services. The police-specific number is 112. For the fire department, call 119, and dial 132 for the ambulance service.

WHAT'S UNIQUE

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world behind Brazil. With world class marine parks, rainforests, mountains, and beaches, it is a paradise for nature lovers.

When to visit Colombia

Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit Colombia.

°C °F
  • Jan Avg Daily: 19 ° C Avg Nightly: 9 ° C
  • Feb Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 7 ° C
  • Mar Avg Daily: 19 ° C Avg Nightly: 10 ° C
  • Apr Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 11 ° C
  • May Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 11 ° C
  • Jun Avg Daily: 17 ° C Avg Nightly: 11 ° C
  • Jul Avg Daily: 17 ° C Avg Nightly: 10 ° C
  • Aug Avg Daily: 17 ° C Avg Nightly: 10 ° C
  • Sep Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 9 ° C
  • Oct Avg Daily: 19 ° C Avg Nightly: 8 ° C
  • Nov Avg Daily: 20 ° C Avg Nightly: 7 ° C
  • Dec Avg Daily: 18 ° C Avg Nightly: 6 ° C
Best Time to Visit:
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor
Colombia in May: Weather and Travel Tips

Colombia in May: Weather and Travel Tips

The low season month of May is a wonderful time to explore the diverse topography and climatic features of Colombia. Being a low tourist season, travelers who travel to Colombia in May can discover the country at a comfortable pace. Take this opportunity ...Read more

Colombia in April: Post-Summer Siesta

Colombia in April: Post-Summer Siesta

After the long summer holidays full of festivals and celebrations, Colombia in April is a quieter month. This is the best time to go on a Colombia tour, as flights into the country are much cheaper, accommodation is good value for money, and it is easy to ...Read more

Colombia in February: Carnivals and Fair Weather

Colombia in February: Carnivals and Fair Weather

February is carnival time in Colombia. The port city of Barranquilla comes alive at the end of the month with one of the biggest carnival celebrations in South America. This is an experience not to be missed. Besides the extravagant carnival, there are al ...Read more

Where to go in Colombia

Discover the best places in Colombia.

10 Best Beaches in Colombia That are out of This World

10 Best Beaches in Colombia That are out of This World

Imagine laying on the sand with miles and miles of soft ground ahead of you and waves crashing at your feet, doesn't that sound amazing? Colombia, a country split between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is blessed with some of the best beaches yo ...Read more

12 Best Cities to Visit in Colombia

12 Best Cities to Visit in Colombia

Home to a traumatic but rich history, gorgeous colonial cities and stunning scenery, Colombia has something for every fellow traveler to enjoy. You can jump on a plane and in less than an hour find yourself in a completely different world, be it the silve ...Read more

How long to stay in Colombia

Read about the ideal duration to stay in Colombia.

One week in Colombia: Top 3 Recommendations

One week in Colombia: Top 3 Recommendations

The land where Martian landscapes and the lush Amazon meet, Colombia is probably the most diverse yet least visited country in South America. Visitors to the country can follow in the footsteps of Escobar in Medellín and hike through the lunar land ...Read more

Great Colombia Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?

Great Colombia Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?

Known for its lively cities balanced by vibrant greenery and home to ten percent of the world’s biodiversity, Colombia is an assemblage of everything that a traveler expects from a Latin American country. A typical Colombia itinerary will meet the n ...Read more

Colombia Tour and Holiday Packages

Select the tour type that you are looking for.

FAQs for Colombia

Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to Colombia below.

  • How many days should I spend in Colombia?
  • When should you visit Colombia?
  • Is a week enough in Colombia?
  • Is Colombia friendly to tourists?
  • Can I use my credit card in Colombia?

Sustainable travel — How to travel through Colombia responsibly

In line with Bookmundi’s vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through Colombia. As part of this effort, we carbon-offset any Colombia tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.

Here’s what you can do to travel Colombia more responsibly:

  • Carbon-offset your transport to Colombia via airlines like Avianca. The moment your tour starts in Colombia, and provided that you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point.
  • As one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, Colombia has a ton of nature conservation programs and organizations that you can donate to like The Nature Conservancy.

Colombia travel tips and insights

  • The Colombian way of life is relaxed, and nothing is rushed.
  • Carry your essentials with you during your trip. Even something as simple as hair conditioner can be hard to come by in this country.
  • Tips are usually included in the bill. If you want to be sure, look for a line that says ‘propina’.
  • You need to pay for soap and toilet paper in public restrooms.
  • Take all the safety precautions, as incidents of drug and gang violence are fairly common in Colombia.

Ready to customize your Colombia Vacation

Book your trip when it is perfectly designed and customized, just for you.

  • Leo Cuesta
    Leo Cuesta Travel Expert in Colombia & Philippines
  • Cami Sarmiento
    Cami Sarmiento Travel Expert in Colombia & Philippines
  • Marius Perrois
    Marius Perrois Travel Expert in Colombia
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