Colombia Travel Guide

Colombia sits in the very north of South America and has so much to offer travelers. Picturesque beaches, salsa dancing, adventure activities, colonial towns, hiking, and endless museums are just some of the things you can do in this country.

Let’s plan your trip!

Top Things to Do | Itineraries | Know Before You Go | Transportation | When to Travel | Costs & Budget | Solo Female Travel Advice | Photo Inspiration | All Blog Posts

Top Things to Do

Bogotá – The capital of Colombia is home to more museums than you can count. You can hike (or ride the cable car) to the top of Monseratte for an excellent view of Bogotá. And if you want something different, consider a day trip outside of the city to Guatavita and Zipaquirá.

Medellín – This city has revitalized itself and its now a favorite of many travelers. It’s hip, fashionable, and has some great night life.

Cartagena – Wander through the old town for a bit of history. Check out the street art, colorful balconies, and mansions in this city.

Colonial Towns – Colombia was colonized by Spain and some of those colonial towns still remain. Villa de Leyva, Popayan, and Barichara often make the list of traveler’s favorites.

San Gil – This is the adventure capital of Colombia. Whether you want to white water raft, zip line, hike to a waterfall, or take on nearly an other adventure activity, you’ll find it here.

Tayrona National Park – Colombia has a long coastline, so its no wonder that at least one beach makes this list. Tayrona National Park is home to iconic beaches and even offers hammocks to sleep on the beach.

Cali – While on the surface, this can feel like another large city, Cali is the world capital of salsa dancing. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or a beginner wanting to take lessons, you’ll have lots of options in this city.

Salento – Located in Colombia’s coffee region, Salento is the traditional starting point for the Cocora Valley hike. Gaze up at the waxy palm trees and take in amazing views of your surroundings.

Itineraries in Colombia

So far, I’ve only been to Colombia once. The country is huge and my trip only scratched the surface of what Colombia has to offer. But I have plans to return and continue exploring.

Know Before You Go

Currency – Colombian Peso (COP). While cards are more accepted than you may expect, it’s always a good idea to carry cash on you since there are many places that are cash only.

Language – Spanish. Learn some basic Spanish before you visit Colombia. While you will likely be able to find English at your hotel (but it’s not a guarantee), its best to have at least a basic understanding of Spanish. Do not expect to hear a lot of English.

Power – 110 V and 60 Hz (same as the United States).

Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.

Water – In most of Colombia, the tap water is not safe to drink.

For even more, check out my top Colombia travel tips.

Transportation

In general it will take longer than you might expect to travel within Colombia. Distances are short, but the mountains add a lot of extra time to any journey.

By Plane – For the longer journeys, consider flying. The country has a large network of internal flights connecting the major cities as well as flights connecting smaller cities to Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín.

By Bus – You will likely be able to get bus to wherever you need to go. Colombia’s bus network is massive, with all sorts of companies crisscrossing the country. However, many of these bus networks have limited or no online presence. Your best bet for schedules is to visit the bus station in each city and ask.

By Rental Car – While you could rent a car in Colombia, I’d suggest thinking twice. Colombian drivers are in a whole other league. Every lane is a passing lane if you believe in yourself and that just gets even more nerve racking on some of the mountain roads.

When to Go

In general, Colombia only has two seasons: rainy season and dry season. While it won’t rain 24/7 during rainy season, you need to be prepared for rain at any point.

Low Season – Unsurprisingly, low season is rainy season which typically lasts from mid September to mid November. Be ready for rain at any time, but you’ll also likely see the sun too. Fewer travelers visit during this time so it can be great for deals.

High Season – High season is part of dry season. From December through February, expect the highest prices, the most tourists, but also the best weather.

Shoulder Season – From March until September, you can expect to find decent weather but fewer tourist crowds.

As a reminder, Colombia is a large country and different parts of the country may experience different weather. For example, while it may be rainy in Bogotá in October and November, Cartagena and the Caribbean coast can be ideal weather.

Budget

Prices in Colombia can vary greatly based on when you travel and where you travel. However, in general, I found Colombia a very affordable country to travel.

Accommodations – Larger cities like Bogotá will be more expensive than small towns. My accommodation in Bogotá (about 150,000 COP) was almost double what I paid in San Gil (about 75,000 COP).

Food – Food prices, like everywhere in the world, will vary wildly. You can get arepas for 4000 COP or less or sit down to a nice meal for 50,000 COP (or more!). In general though, I didn’t have too difficult of a time finding a reasonably (or even cheaply) priced meal.

Transportation – Transportation costs vary wildly based on which mode of transport you choose, when you book your ticket, and which cities you are traveling between. As a good rule of thumb, I found myself paying about 12,000 COP per hour I was on the bus. Flights will cost more but can save you significant time.

Activities – Museums and other smaller sights can cost 5000 COP or less. For a full day, guided tour from Bogotá, I paid 350,000. The price for activities varies greatly depending on what you want to do.

For a full breakdown of my budget, check out my Colombian Travel Budget.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler

I visited Colombia in 2024 as a solo female traveler. In general, I had no issues and felt completely safe. However, it should be noted that I don’t go out after dark and I don’t drink alcohol. Colombians were friendly and always willing to help.

For more on safety, check out my Colombian Safety Guide.

Photos to Inspire Your Travels

All Colombia Blog Posts