Visa Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. Upon entry at the airport, the border officer decides the length of stay — usually 90 days are stamped in the passport, sometimes only 60. Required: Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the stay. ID card

Colombian Peso (COP) The Colombian currency is the peso. The large numbers can be confusing at first: 100,000 COP sounds like a fortune, but it's only ~24€. Coins: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 COP. Bills: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 COP. Exchange rate (estimate 2025/26): 1 EUR ≈

General Security Situation Let's be honest: Colombia has a security image problem that is bigger than the actual danger for tourists. Yes, the country has a violent past. Yes, there is crime. But: The tourist regions are much safer than their reputation. Millions of international tourists visit Colo

Health & Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness (Soroche) Bogotá is at an altitude of 2,640 meters — that's the height of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but you fly in directly from sea level. The altitude can be noticeable: Symptoms: Shortness of breath when climbing stairs, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, faster exhaustion. Mild for

Internet & Communication

SIM Card & Mobile Data A local SIM card is cheap and the best option: Providers: Claro (largest network, best coverage), Movistar, Tigo, WOM (cheapest provider) Price: SIM card free or 5,000 COP (1.20€). Data packages: 10 GB for 25,000–35,000 COP (6–8€), valid for 30 days. Purchase: At Bogotá airpo

Tips (Propina) In Colombia, a “propina voluntaria" of 10% is automatically suggested at the end of the bill — the waiter asks: “¿Desea incluir el servicio?" (Would you like to include the service?). Saying “Sí" is the norm. Additionally: SituationRecommendation Restaurant (propina voluntaria)10% (

Basic Vocabulary & Colombian

Colombian Spanish is slow, clear, and melodic — much more understandable than the Spanish in Spain, Argentina, or the Caribbean. Colombians speak without swallowing final syllables and use the formal address "Usted" much more frequently than other Latin Americans (even among friends!). If you're lea

Home Travel GuidesColombia

🇨🇴

Travel Guide Colombia

Your complete travel guide for the most diverse country in South America

Capital:Bogotá

Language:Spanish

Currency:Colombian Peso (COP)

Best Travel Time:Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug

Flight Time:~11 hours from DE

Visa:Not required (90 days)

Last updated: 11 March 2026 · 11 Chapters · 40 Sections

RECOMMENDED

Route Suggestions

Classic Colombia Tour

14–21 days

The grand route through Colombia's highlights — from the capital through the coffee zone to the Caribbean coast. Best combined with domestic flights and buses.

BogotáVilla de LeyvaSan GilBaricharaMedellínGuatapéSalentoCocora-TalCartagenaRosario-Inseln

Caribbean & Coffee Zone

10 days

Caribbean flair and coffee aroma — the perfect route for those who want to combine beach and nature. Fly into Cartagena, out from Armenia/Pereira.

CartagenaRosario-InselnSanta MartaTayrona NPPalominoMedellínGuatapéSalentoCocora-Tal

Bogotá–Cartagena Express

7 days

The three major cities compact: capital culture, Medellín's transformation, and Cartagena's colonial charm. Ideal for a week with domestic flights.

BogotáZipaquiráMedellínComuna 13GuatapéCartagena

Adventure Colombia with Ciudad Perdida

14 days

For adventurers: Rafting, paragliding, the 4-day trek to the lost city in the jungle, and the most beautiful national parks. Good fitness required.

BogotáSan GilChicamocha CanyonMedellínSanta MartaCiudad Perdida TrekTayrona NPCartagena

All Chapters

Planning· 2 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Colombia

6 Sections

Chapter 2

Arrival & Transport

3 Sections

Regions· 5 Chapters

Chapter 3

Bogotá & Boyacá

5 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 4

Cartagena & Caribbean Coast

5 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 5

Medellín & Coffee Zone

4 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 6

Pacific Coast & Islands

2 Sections

Chapter 7

Amazon & Natural Wonders

3 Sections

Understanding· 2 Chapters

Chapter 8

Land & People

3 Sections

Chapter 9

Food & Drink

2 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 10

Practical A–Z

6 Sections

Chapter 11

Spanish Phrasebook

1 Sections

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Regions at a Glance

Bogotá & Boyacá

The vibrant capital at an altitude of 2,640 m with the historic district of La Candelaria, the legendary Gold Museum, and the Monserrate lookout mountain. In the surrounding area, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá and the colonial town of Villa de Leyva.

La CandelariaMuseo del OroMonserrateSalt Cathedral Zipaquirá+1

Bogota Zipaquira Villa De Leyva

Cartagena & Caribbean Coast

The spectacular UNESCO old town of Cartagena, the trendy Getsemaní district, dreamy Caribbean beaches, Tayrona National Park, and the mystical Ciudad Perdida in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada.

Old Town Cartagena (UNESCO)Tayrona NPCiudad Perdida TrekRosario Islands+1

Cartagena Santa Marta Tayrona+1 mehr

Medellín & Coffee Zone

The city of eternal spring with Comuna 13, Metrocable, and Botanical Garden. Additionally, the coffee zone with the Cocora Valley, the tallest wax palms in the world, and the picture-perfect town of Salento.

Comuna 13GuatapéCocora ValleySalento+1

Medellin Guatape Salento+1 mehr

Pacific Coast & Chocó

Colombia's wild west: Whale watching off Nuquí, untouched jungle beaches, and the Caribbean paradises of San Andrés and Providencia with the third-largest barrier reef in the world.

Whale Watching NuquíBahía SolanoSan AndrésProvidencia+1

Nuqui San Andres Providencia

Amazon & Natural Wonders

The tri-border area on the Amazon in Leticia, the legendary rainbow river Caño Cristales, the surreal Tatacoa Desert, and encounters with indigenous communities in the deepest jungle.

Leticia (Amazon)Caño CristalesTatacoa DesertTri-border Area

Leticia Tatacoa

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