Colombia
Cartagena's walled old town glows at sunset, coffee farms in the Andes show you every step from bean to cup, and the Caribbean coast hides Tayrona's palm-backed coves and the jungle trek to the Lost City. Medellín's cable cars, Bogotá's Gold Museum and Cali's salsa clubs round out a country whose transformation has made it a favourite for longer stays.
Overview
Colombia is the only South American country with both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, and the Andes split into three ranges here, so wildly different climates sit close together. A first trip of two to three weeks usually links four areas: Bogotá on its cool plateau at about 2,600 metres; Medellín and the Antioquia countryside; the Coffee Region around Salento, with its wax-palm valleys; and the Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Santa Marta, Tayrona and the Lost City trek. Mountain roads are slow, so most people fly between regions rather than ride long buses.
Costs are low by European standards: a set lunch costs a few pounds, and domestic flights are cheap if booked early. Colombians are famously welcoming, but little English is spoken outside tourist areas, so some Spanish pays off. Domestic tourism peaks from mid-December to mid-January and at Easter, when coastal prices rise and buses fill. Visitors are often surprised by the chill in Bogotá, by the birdwatching, since Colombia records more bird species than any other country, and by how much of daily life runs on salsa, football and small cups of strong black tinto coffee.
Map of Colombia
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Cartagena's walled city
Spanish colonial ramparts enclose plazas, churches and bougainvillea-draped balconies. Walk the walls at sunset, explore the hilltop Castillo de San Felipe fortress, then eat and drink in Getsemaní, the livelier barrio just outside the walls.
- 2Nature
Cocora Valley and Salento
Quindío wax palms, Colombia's national tree and among the tallest palms in the world, rise from cloud-forest pasture above the colourful town of Salento. Hike the valley loop, then tour a working coffee finca nearby.
- 3Beach
Tayrona National Park
Jungle trails lead from the park gates to palm-fringed coves at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, with hammocks for rent at Cabo San Juan. Many beaches have strong currents, so swim only where signs allow; the park closes for short periods each year.
- 4Adventure
Ciudad Perdida trek
A four- to six-day guided trek through the Sierra Nevada's jungle and river crossings to the Tayrona people's terraced city, built around AD 800 and rediscovered in the 1970s. A climb of some 1,200 stone steps makes for a dramatic arrival.
- 5Nature
Guatapé and El Peñol
El Peñol, a granite monolith some 200 metres tall, rises above a reservoir of wooded islands two hours east of Medellín. Climb its 700-odd steps for the view, then wander Guatapé, whose houses wear brightly painted zócalo friezes.
Biggest cities
Bogotá
A high, cool capital with a colonial core in La Candelaria, the superb Gold Museum, the Botero collection and Monserrate's cable car; on Sundays the Ciclovía closes main roads to cars.
Medellín
Once notorious, now known for metro-linked cable cars, a spring-like climate and Comuna 13's street-art escalators; base yourself in Laureles or El Poblado and day-trip to Guatapé.
Cali
Colombia's salsa capital: learn the fast local style at a dance school by day and watch the experts in a salsoteca by night. Few formal sights, but the dancing makes the trip.
Figures are for metropolitan areas; Bogotá's district alone has around 7.9 million people. Barranquilla's metro area ranks fourth.
When to go to Colombia
Best time: Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug.
Average climate in Bogotá
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarCarnaval de Barranquilla
Four days of parades, cumbia and elaborate costumes before Ash Wednesday, recognised by UNESCO; book Barranquilla rooms early or stay in Cartagena or Santa Marta and day-trip.
- AugFeria de las Flores
Medellín's early-August flower fair culminates in the Desfile de Silleteros, when farmers from Santa Elena parade huge flower arrangements carried on their backs.
- DecFeria de Cali
From 25 to 30 December Cali hosts salsa parades, concerts and dance contests, opening with the Salsódromo procession of the city's best dancers.
How much does Colombia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Bandeja paisa
Antioquia's heroic platter of red beans, rice, minced beef, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, ripe plantain, avocado and an arepa; a lunch, not a snack.
Ajiaco
Bogotá's chicken and three-potato soup, thickened as the potatoes break down and flavoured with the herb guascas, served with corn on the cob, capers, cream and avocado.
Arepas
Griddled maize cakes eaten everywhere, from plain breakfast arepas with butter and cheese to the Caribbean coast's deep-fried arepa de huevo, with an egg sealed inside.
Getting around
Domestic flights on Avianca, LATAM and budget carriers such as JetSMART and Wingo save whole days, because mountain roads are slow: Bogotá to Medellín takes around nine hours by bus but under an hour by air. Long-distance buses are cheap and frequent. Medellín has the country's only metro, plus cable cars, while Bogotá relies on TransMilenio buses. Uber, DiDi, Cabify and InDrive work in the big cities.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB120V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +57
- Time zone
- UTC-5 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Restaurants usually add a 10% 'propina voluntaria' to the bill and should ask whether you want it included; you can decline. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
- Etiquette
- Greet people with 'buenos días' before asking anything, use the formal 'usted' with strangers, and avoid joking about drugs or Pablo Escobar, a painful subject for many Colombians.
- Main airports
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Bogotá; José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), Medellín; Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), Cartagena
Visas & entry for Colombia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa for business or tourism, at the discretion of the Colombian immigration officer on arrival.
You must be able to show an onward or return ticket valid within the 90-day period.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in rural areas of Colombia below 1,600m: awareness or risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Colombia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day (observed) |
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | Independence of Cartagena (observed) |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | Epiphany (observed) |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Saint Joseph's Day (observed) |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Maundy Thursday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 10 May 2027 | Ascension Day (observed) |
| Mon 31 May 2027 | Corpus Christi (observed) |
| Mon 7 Jun 2027 | Sacred Heart (observed) |
| Mon 5 Jul 2027 | Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day (observed) |
| Mon 12 Jul 2027 | Day of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá (observed) |
| Tue 20 Jul 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 7 Aug 2027 | Battle of Boyacá |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day (observed) |
| Mon 18 Oct 2027 | Columbus Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
Know before you go
- Order taxis through Uber, DiDi or Cabify, or ask your hotel to call one, rather than hailing cabs in the street, especially at night in Bogotá.
- Pack layers: Bogotá sits at about 2,600 metres and is often cool and drizzly, while Cartagena and the Caribbean coast stay hot and humid all year.
- Check the FCDO travel advice before planning overland routes or visiting remote areas, as its guidance differs from region to region.
Colombia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
The best time to visit Colombia is generally Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug. Peak months are January, February, March, July, August and December. Average highs in Bogotá range from 19°C to 20°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Colombia cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £80 mid-range and £170+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Colombia?
Colombian peso (COP).
What plug type does Colombia use?
Type A and B sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Colombia?
Traffic drives on the right in Colombia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Colombia?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa for business or tourism, at the discretion of the Colombian immigration officer on arrival. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Colombia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Colombia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Yellow fever sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
