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Whatever you THINK you know about Colombia South America, you are probably wrong. I know I was.
When I first hit the road back in 2017 Colombia was firmly on my countries to avoid list. But as I was working in a Guatemalan hostel for several months every traveler who came into the hostel who had been traveling north when asked what their favorite country was answered the same thing, Colombia. So when an opportunity came up that took me to Bogota I jumped at the chance.
Columbia South America is one of the most biodiverse, beautiful, friendly, and just all-around incredible places on this earth. Colombia is so much more than narcos and political unrest. Trust me when I say Colombia should be at the top of your places to visit list. The only problem is once you have fallen in love with Colombia it’s hard to get excited about any other country in quite the same way.
That said, Colombia does still have its issues and because of this, you do need to take your safety seriously and do your research. I did my trip to Colombia alone and felt very safe, but I was well-informed and didn’t take any risks.
I have summarized all information that you might need such as what to do in Colombia, best time to go to Colombia and many others! I’ve also written trip to Colombia safety guides to help you and I do keep them updated with all of the latest information.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you need to be prepared for anything!
The Insurance companies I personally recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single trip cover, annual multi trip cover, and long term travel cover.
Safety Wing is great value with monthly cover starting at $39. It’s super easy to use and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here where I go into detail about the companies.
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Colombia Tours: Click here to check out the top Colombia tours
Best Colombia Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Colombia
Best Colombia Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Colombia
Colombia is a country in South America. It has borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
Columbia South America is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, mountains rainforests, deserts, coffee farms, and some of the vibrant culture in the world. So if you ask me when is the best time to visit Columbia, it actually depends on where you’re going and what weather that you expect.
The capital of Columbia South America is Bogotá.
Although Bogota is most peoples starting or ending point, by far the most popular city is Medellin. Most travelers spend a few nights in Bogota and the rest of their time exploring the rest of the country.
The currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso COP.
The dialing code of Colombia is +57
The water is safe to drink from the tap in many of the cities in Colombia. In Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and Salento it is safe. On the Caribbean coast it is not safe to drink. Other places you should check with a local person.
In Colombia, almost all accommodation is on Hostel World or Booking.com so you can easily book ahead of time. Airbnb is also popular here.
For a motel expect to pay ($52 USD) if you want a private room in a hostel then you are looking at around ($102 USD). Or if you prefer to stay in a hotel expect to pay around ($150 USD).
If you prefer to stay in an Airbnb then a room in a house will cost around ($20 USD)
Your trip to Colombia won’t be complete without exploring the food, which is perfect for you who wonder what to do Colombia.
Food in Colombia is ok (don’t tell any Colombians I said that though). Expect to eat a lot of fried food and arepas!
That said the food varies a lot from region to region. Soups are always amazing in Colombia and prepare to be amazed at the sheer amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that you can pick up at the markets.
Eating out is very cheap in Columbia South America and you can find local places to eat a lunch of soup, meat, rice and veggies with a drink for around $8000 COP ($2) which will save your money during your trip to Colombia.
Your what to do Colombia list should include learning Spanish.
Many people come to Colombia to take Spanish classes. So if you want to take a week of group classes here studying for 5 hours a day expect to pay about $130 USD a week.
One of the best time to visit Columbia is if you’re into trying activities such as visiting coffee and cacao farms, paragliding, horseback riding, kitesurfing, and hiking.
The best time to go to Colombia if you want to visit coffee and cacao farm is when the coffee harvest season. The coffee harvest season in Colombia typically runs from September to December.
I would budget for at least $10 USD a day during my trip to Colombia. If you want to do the lost city hike or visit Cabo de la Valle then you will need a bit more money as both have pretty fixed prices. Somedays you will spend less of course, and some days more.
Backpackers Budget – $125,000 COP
Accommodation: $35,000 COP
Food: $30,000 COP
Activities: $60,000 COP
Mid Budget – $235,000 COP
Accommodation: $80,000 COP
Food: $75,000 COP
Activities: $80,000 COP
Luxury Budget – $500,000 COP
Accommodation: $150,000 COP
Food: $120,000 COP
Activities: $200,000 COP
These are companies I 100% recommend booking activities with In Colombia. I know they all pay their staff well and give back to the community.
Colombian Buddy – I love this company. If you need some help with anything from getting from the airport to your accommodation or someone to help plan your, or maybe you want a friend to go hiking with. Colombian Buddy has your back!
The first thing I want to say about traveling to Colombia is, don’t believe everything you parents tell you. Unless of course, they have actually been to Colombia! And remember, Narcos is just a TV show loosely based on some bad shit that happened in the past. I swear there were so many people who told me I was crazy for going to live in Colombia. And you know what, not one of those people had actually been, they just read about it somewhere.
I wrote a whole post during my trip to Colombia on what I learned traveling in Colombia solo as well as some safety advice for Bogota and Medellin. I keep these posts regularly updated to refect any current security risks.
But one thing I know for sure is that you should never travel to Colombia without some kind of insurance. There is no free healthcare from foreign visitors there so if anything should happen to you you will end up with a very large bill without insurance. There are 2 travel insurance companies I recommend SafetyWing and Heymondo.
SafetyWing is insurance specifically for Digital Nomads which renews every month. Whereas World Nomads is more for Backpackers. You can read the full review I wrote about long term travel insurance here.
If you want to save money then one sure-fire way to do so is to take some Spanish classes. It’s amazing how things magically become cheaper when you speak to the person selling those things in their language. From getting the right fare from the taxi driver to haggling at the market, think of the money spent on learning Spanish as an investment. Read these posts to learn more about my experience of learning Spanish in Medellin and Cali.
I also took this course ran by my friends at Heart of Travel.
Best Time to Travel in Colombia
The best time to travel in Colombia is influenced by many factors. One of the best time to travel in Colombia is during the dry season, which typically spans from December to March. For those looking to experience vibrant local culture and festivities, the best time to visit Columbia is during festivals and events like Carnaval de Barranquilla in February, Feria de las Flores in Medellín in August, or the Bogotá International Film Festival in October.
To enjoy the lush greenery of coffee and cacao plantations, the best time to visit Columbia is during the cooler months, while outdoor enthusiasts may prefer the best time to travel in Colombia is during the dry season for activities like hiking and paragliding. Ultimately, the best time to travel in Colombia depends on your interests and the regions you plan to explore, but this diverse country has something to offer year-round.
This is how I was able to stay in Guatemala for almost a year rent-free! There are lots of great options for Worldpackers in Colombia and it’s not expensive to join. Plus if you join through my link and use the discount code in this blog post you get some money off… you’re welcome!
It’s pretty obvious really, but I’m going to say it anyway, do street food culinary during your trip to Colombia. Eat at the local places, or from the street food carts and you will save a lot of money.
The best time to go to Colombia if you want to do street food hunting is during the evening because street food vendors in Colombia typically set up their stalls in the late afternoon and evening.
The supermarkets can be expensive in Colombia so always shop at the market first, then if you can’t find what you are looking for head to the supermarket or a tienda.
In most of the main cities, the water is safe to drink directly from the tap. Just double-check with a local to be 100% sure though and be sure to bring a good water bottle with you.
Wondering what to pack for Colombia? I got you. I’ve done 2 full blog posts outlining everything you need to pack for Colombia depending on where you are traveling to.
My Ultimate Trip to Colombia Backpacking Packing List
Or you can just skip ahead and download my free packing list using the form below.
Quick Tip: View my full Colombia packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Colombia Essentials shopping list here.
I recommend staying in Chapenero over La Candelaria if you are staying longer than 24 hours.
Hostels I recommend in Chapinero are:
Hotel Morrison
Selina Chapinaro
Republica Hostel Chapinero
Hotel Living 55
93 Luxury Suites & Residences
If you are only in town for 1 night then I recommend staying in one of these places in La Candelaria:
Selina La Candelaria
Casa artistica
Arche Noah Boutique Hostel
If you need a hotel close to the airport then I recommend the Radisson AR Bogota Airport.
I recommend staying at El Patio Hostel it’s right in San Antonio and the owners are so lovely and helpful.
Wondering where to stay in Medellin? I recommend staying in either El Poblado or Laureles and here are a few of my favorite places to stay:
Parceros Med Hostel ( I stayed here for a month and loved it!)
Los Patios Hostel Boutique
Purple Monkey Hostel
Hostal Medellin -Laureles
El Jardín de la 10 – El Poblado
I spent. week at Coffee Tree Hostel and LOVED it.
Mid – Hotel Pinohermoso Reserva Natural
High – Hotel Kawa Mountain Retreat
Finca Hostal Bolivar – Casa Mango
If you’d have asked me a few years ago I probably would have told you to avoid taking buses at all costs. However, after my recent trip to Colombia it seems that things have greatly improved. For intercity travel in Colombia you have 3 options, fly, take a bus, or rent a car.
To help you decide I have put together these very detailed guides explaining exactly how to get from place to place.
How to get from El Dorado airport Bogota to La Candelaria
How To Travel From Bogota To Cali by Bus Or Plane
How To Get From Cali To Medellin Or From Medellin To Cali Colombia
Salento Travel | How to get to Salento from Bogota Medellin or Cali
How to get from Bogotá to Medellín on the bus or plane
Medellin to Santa Marta (or Santa Marta to Medellin)
How to get from Medellin to Cartagena
Transport in the main cities is mostly by bus or taxi.
In Medellin, there is the metro, tram, Uber, or Taxi, read this guide to transport in Medellin to learn more.
In Bogota, it is Transmillenio, Taxi or Uber. I don’t advise flagging down a taxi on the street though, it’s better to use Tapsi or Cabify. There is also DiDi and Beat as good alternatives to Uber in Colombia.
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Colombia?
Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Colombia which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Colombia on Amazon here.
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Colombia?
I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Colombia?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
This is a hard one. In all honesty, there is no bad time to visit Colombia as it doesn’t actually have seasons. Although many Colombians joke that you can experience all 4 seasons in a day in Medellin and Bogota!
The high season in Colombia is December through to January which is when many Colombians head to the Caribbean Coast for a Christmas break. So expect things to be busy around this time.
That said, Colombia does have a lot of festivals which you might want to plan around, for example, the salsa festival in Cali in December, or the flower festival in Medellin in August, and who could forget the Baranquia Carnival in February.
Héctor Abad’s Oblivion is one of the most touching and beautiful books I have ever read. It’s a heartbreaking, well-written memorial to the author’s father, Héctor Abad Gómez, how was murder by paramilitaries in 1987.
It took Héctor 12 years to write this book and it’s probably one of the most impactful things I have read about the war in Colombia.
If you are going to be spending time in Medellin and want to know more about the history from a personal point of view you must read this book.
I couldn’t not include this Lonely Planet Guide to Colombia in the reading list.
I’m not always a fan of these kinds of travel guides as they are oftern out of date. But they do serve a purpose and it’s always nice to have one actual book that you can use to plan before your trip as well as having something to read when the battery dies on your kindle!
Although you can also get most of these Lonely Planet Guidebooks free as part of a kindle unlimited subscription.
If you buy Colombiano it will probably take your whole backpacking trip to Colombia to actually read it! The book is HUGE.
It’s a blend of fact and fiction that paints a vivid picture of one of the darkest times in Colombia’s history.
“From innocent teenage love to barbaric torture…from cruel despots to cocaine traficantes…from seedy drug markets to brutal battlefields…Colombiano is a blockbuster revenge thriller and an electrifying coming-of-age story.”
Looking for a light funny read while in Colombia? Dancing Feat is the book for you. It’s a story of one Englishman’s attempt to dance his way around Colombia.
The book is a fun light story that weaves in insight into Colombian dance, ranging from social dance in nightclubs, to more traditional folkloric dances.
“But can such a bad dancer really make the necessary transformation? Is it even possible to remember so many dances? And is there a window backstage big enough for an adult male to fit through?”
