Colombia is visited safely by many tourists, but safety varies by region. Check the current US State Department advisory and avoid areas it warns about.
Overview
Colombia welcomes millions of visitors each year, but safety differs by region. The US State Department lists it at Level 3, Reconsider Travel. Check the current advisory before booking.
Popular areas
Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and the coffee region are tourist favorites, with higher precautions needed at night.
Areas to avoid
Border areas with Venezuela, Ecuador and parts of Cauca, Norte de Santander and others flagged in the advisory.
Safety tips
- Use ride apps or licensed taxis.
- Keep valuables hidden.
- Never accept drinks from strangers.
- Buy travel insurance.
Regions often visited
- Cartagena: walled colonial city on the Caribbean coast.
- Medellin: city in the Andes, transformed since the 1990s, with a metro and cable cars.
- Bogota: the capital at 2,640 meters above sea level.
- Coffee Triangle: Salento, Manizales and Pereira.
- Tayrona and Santa Marta coast.
Caution regions
Governments warn against travel to border areas, parts of Cauca, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Arauca and Chocó, because of armed groups, landmines, kidnapping and drug trafficking. Travel by road at night between cities is often discouraged.
Altitude and weather
Bogota’s altitude can cause mild altitude sickness, with headaches or tiredness. Coastal areas are hot and humid. The rainy seasons are roughly April to May and October to November in many parts.
Money
The currency is the Colombian peso. Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers and avoid showing cash. Cards are accepted in many tourist places.
Documents
Visitors from the US and many countries can stay up to 90 days without a visa, extendable to 180 days in a calendar year. Check current rules and the Check-Mig online form, which may be required.
Language
Spanish is the main language. Learning basic phrases helps in smaller towns.
Respect and local rules
Drug possession is illegal and penalties are severe, and so is buying from street vendors. Do not photograph military installations.
Tourism growth
Colombia received around 5.8 million international visitors in 2023, a record, according to national tourism figures.
Regions and entry rules
Popular tourist areas include Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, Santa Marta, the Coffee Region and San Andres island. Areas near the Venezuelan border, parts of Cauca, Norte de Santander and Arauca have higher risk from armed groups, and travelers are advised to avoid them. US citizens can enter without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days, with possible extension, and the passport should be valid for the stay. Spanish is the main language, and basic phrases are helpful. The currency is the Colombian peso, and ATMs in large cities are common.
Weather and etiquette
Climate depends on altitude: Cartagena and the Caribbean coast are hot and humid, with average highs near 90 F, Medellin has a mild spring like climate and Bogota is cool, around 66 F during the day. Dry seasons are roughly December to March and July to August. Carry copies of documents, use hotel safes and avoid illegal drugs, which carry serious penalties. Tourism has grown strongly since the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC. Follow local news and your embassy’s alerts, since conditions can change quickly.
Based on data from the US Department of State and Colombia’s tourism authority
