Why We Love Colombia…

Its vibrant communities and culture thrive against a backdrop of stunning diversity: the lush Amazon jungle, the untouched Caribbean coast, and the majestic Andes’ peaks. Beyond South America’s allure, Colombia boasts exceptional biodiversity, from its skies teeming with birds to the intricate web of flora and fauna. Situated between two oceans, it stands as the sole South American nation with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean. With diverse climates, there’s never a wrong time to explore this paradise. Colombia is an unmissable journey into a world where nature, culture, and adventure intertwine seamlessly.

Entry Requirements 

Passports

If you are visiting Colombia, your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date you arrive.

Visas

British and American nationals can enter Colombia for up to 90 days as a visitor without a visa at the discretion of the Colombian Immigration Officer on arrival. You may need to provide evidence of return or onward travel.

Please check out your local travel advice and let us know if you’re travelling from a different territory.

Departure Tax

An airport tax is charged for international departures. The cost is usually included in the price of the airline ticket, but you should check with your airline prior to your travel.

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP). At the time of writing £1 is around 5,600 Colombian Pesos. Note that “$”, “COP”, or “COL$” are the commonly used symbols for the currency and full stops are often used instead of commas (ie. 5.000 not 5,000).

Tipping

Please find below a summary of the best practices for tipping your half-day and full-day guides and drivers (based on a couple). If you have the same driver or guide throughout your trip, you can tip them at the end of your time with them.   

Half-Day Guide: COP 30,000 ($7 USD). 

Full-Day Guide: COP 80,000 ($20 USD).  

Driver (Half-Day): COP 10,000 ($2.5 USD).  

Driver (Full-Day): COP 40,000 ($10 USD). 

Currency: Tip in Colombian pesos or US Dollars in smaller denominations. 

Restaurants: Most bills include a 10% voluntary tip. It’s worth checking this before deciding on any further tips. 

Hotel staff: Recommended amounts for porters and housekeeping can be $2-3, given directly in small change or given to reception to be shared at the end of your stay.

Plug Type

For Colombia, there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

Vaccinations

We aren’t certified to give medical advice so always recommend you consult your doctor or a travel doctor, as they will know which vaccinations you have already and any additional ones necessary for your trip. You can also take a look here for travel vaccination information and advice on bringing medication into the country.

Climate

Colombia’s weather is generally very welcoming but varies greatly depending on your location (the country’s equatorial position means temperatures change by altitude rather than the time of year). However, as a general rule, travellers should expect increased rainfall from April to May and October to November.

Bogotá, Medellín and Coffee Zone: Expect springtime/autumnal temperatures and weather.

Cartagena: Expect hot summer temperatures.

Amazon: There is a rainy season in the Colombian Amazon from December to June and a dry season from July to December. Visiting is possible at any time of the year, but with different experiences. For example, in the rainy season, the walking trails become flooded and kayaking is possible through the rainforest, and during the dry season, you are able to hike further into the jungle due to the lower water levels. Temperatures are cooler during the rainy season whereas, during the dry season, temperatures can rise to sweltering levels, with fewer mosquitos as a result.

What To Pack

For Bogotá, Medellín and Coffee Zone

Raincoats – Umbrella – Waterproof footwear – Warm coat – Long trousers

For Medellín and Coffee Zone

Light raincoats – Umbrella – Waterproof footwear – T-shirts – Long trousers – Suncream – Sunglasses – Trainers/ comfortable walking shoes – Smarter shoes

For Cartagena

Light raincoats – Umbrella – Sandals – T-shirts – Shorts – Suncream – Sunglasses – Trainers/comfortable walking shoes – Smarter shoes – Sun hat/cap

For The Colombian Amazon

Check out our ‘Top Tips and Must-Haves for the Colombian Amazon‘.

Every nemo traveller will be provided with some Colombian Nopikex Repellent, on arrival in the Amazon. It was developed by the Colombian Army for their long stints living in the jungle! You will be given a spray and soap version, we find both of these highly effective to prevent bites. No need to be bringing any insect repellent along with you!

Flights

The main airlines that operate internally within Colombia are LATAM and Avianca. If we have booked your internal flights, we will provide you with your flight ticket before you depart. Our local partners will send you your boarding passes via Whastapp.

We recommend being at the airport at least 2 hours before departure for domestic flights, and at least 3 hours for international flights.

There are two airport terminals in Bogota: the international El Dorado and the smaller national Puente Aéreo. They are 1km apart, and the airport provides a free shuttle service to move between them.

Flights & Time Zone

The total flight duration from London to Bogota, Colombia is 10 hours and 50 minutes

Colombia is GMT -5.

Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish.

I Don’t Speak Spanish – Will This Be A Problem?

Not at all. Colombia is well-equipped to handle visitors from all over the world. While English is widely spoken throughout the country, be prepared for some shops and street vendors that only speak Spanish. Google Translate App offers a Spanish file to download that can still be used while offline.

Food

Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, and its array of home-grown ingredients is staggering. As a result comida colombiana (Colombian food) varies greatly across the country but is filled throughout with colour, passion, and flavour. Be sure to try any of the fruits and their juices on the coast with fruits that are native to Colombia that you won’t find anywhere else in the world – lulo, níspero, guanábana, tomate de árbol and more!