Do Swiss nationals need a visa for Colombia?

No, not for tourist stays. The visa list of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Switzerland, Germany and Austria among the countries without a visa requirement for short visits. A passport and Check-MIG are required.

Does the Check-MIG form cost anything?

No. Migración Colombia offers it free on its own website, for both entry and departure. If anyone asks you to pay for it, you are not on the official site.

How long can tourists stay in Colombia?

On entry, Migración Colombia grants up to 90 days. Before it expires, a paid extension of up to 90 days can be requested; there is no entitlement to it.

Is the yellow fever vaccination mandatory for Colombia?

According to the Federal Foreign Office, proof is mandatory for travelers aged one and over arriving from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda. The CDC lists the vaccination for everyone aged one and over. In national parks such as Tayrona, proof is checked.

When is Tayrona Park closed?

Every year from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2, for rest and ceremonial periods of the indigenous peoples. Individual entrances may be closed additionally.

How much does entry to Tayrona Park cost?

According to the park website, foreign visitors pay COP 81,000 in low season and COP 96,500 in high season, plus mandatory insurance. Guides and transport are not included (as of September 2026).

How long does the trek to Ciudad Perdida take?

A minimum of four to five days for a 46 km round trip, in humid heat and frequent rain. It starts at Machete Pelao, one to two hours by four-wheel-drive vehicle from the coastal road.

Is Medellín safe for tourists?

None of the three foreign ministries advise against Medellín, but all urge caution. The Federal Foreign Office warns of scopolamine-related robberies following dating-app contacts, sometimes fatal.

Can you travel by bus in Colombia?

Yes, long-distance buses connect almost all cities. The FDFA and the Federal Foreign Office advise against night travel, even by bus, and during the rainy season landslides repeatedly close mountain roads.

Bogotá sits at roughly 2,600 m, and from 2,500 m upward healthytravel.ch flags altitude sickness. Anyone sensitive to altitude should start the trip lower, for example in Medellín or on the coast.

What plugs do you need in Colombia?

Type A and B, at 110 V and 60 Hz. Devices with other plug types need an adapter, and devices built only for 230 V need a converter.

Do you tip in Colombia?

It's voluntary. Restaurants may suggest no more than 10% and must ask whether it should be added to the bill; the money belongs to the service staff.

When can you see whales in Colombia?

From July to October on the Pacific coast of the Chocó, and in Nuquí, according to Colombia Travel, into November. Nuquí and Bahía Solano are reached by air; the overland routes in the Chocó are considered risky.

Does the FDFA advise against Leticia?

The department of Amazonas is considered less risky than the conflict areas in the south and west, and is reached by air. The FDFA generally urges the greatest caution in rural areas; the current rating is on the foreign ministries' websites.

Can you visit San Agustín?

According to ICANH, the park is open from 8am to 3pm. For the department of Huila, the advice from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA differs; guided and during the day, a visit is easiest.

Colombia: Best Time to Visit, Entry, Regions and Safety

What can travelers expect in Colombia?

In short

Colombia combines Andean cities like Bogotá at roughly 2,600 m, the coffee region around Salento, the fortress city of Cartagena on the Caribbean, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with peaks around 5,700 m. Nine sites are UNESCO World Heritage. Increased caution applies in the big cities because of crime; for border and conflict areas, the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA refer to their current travel advice.

For a first trip, combining Bogotá, Medellín or the coffee region with the Caribbean coast around Cartagena and Santa Marta works well. The Amazon and the Pacific coast are reached by air; both require more preparation regarding yellow fever and malaria. Armed groups are active in the border areas with Venezuela and Ecuador and in the southwest; the foreign ministries' advice for these areas should be read particularly carefully.

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

How is Colombia structured as a travel destination?

In short

Colombia has coastlines on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, with the Andes rising between them. The climate follows altitude: Colombia Travel speaks of "pisos térmicos," altitude zones that can take you in a single day from a hot Caribbean beach to the cool capital. In the south, the country reaches all the way to the Amazon.

According to ICANH, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a mountain range independent of the Andes that climbs from sea level to 5,700 m over a distance of just 42 km. Near Leticia, Colombia, Peru and Brazil meet on the Amazon.

Besides Spanish, around 65 indigenous languages are spoken. Tayrona Park belongs to the ancestral territory of the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo peoples; the Chocó on the Pacific coast has a strong Afro-Colombian character.

The country is large and mountainous. Colombia Travel calls domestic flights the fastest way to move between regions, the FDFA recommends flying, and the Federal Foreign Office warns of long travel times and elevated accident risk on mountain roads.

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany

Which regions are worth visiting in Colombia?

In short

The classic round trip combines Bogotá, Medellín, the coffee region around Salento, Cartagena, and Santa Marta with Tayrona Park and Ciudad Perdida. Add to that Villa de Leyva in Boyacá and San Agustín in Huila. The Pacific coast and the Amazon are reached by air; several regions carry restrictions from the foreign ministries.

Bogotá

The capital sits at roughly 2,600 m. In the La Candelaria district stand the Plaza de Bolívar and the Primada Cathedral, overlooked by Monserrate. The Museo del Oro holds around 34,000 gold objects, including the Muisca raft of the El Dorado legend. The Federal Foreign Office warns of robberies in regular taxis at the airport and recommends app-booked rides.

Medellín

Medellín has Colombia's only metro system, complemented by cable cars up the hillsides. The Museo de Antioquia shows mainly works by Fernando Botero, and the Feria de las Flores takes place in early August. A side trip leads to Guatapé and the 220 m-high monolith Piedra del Peñol. The Federal Foreign Office reports particularly high numbers of scopolamine-related robberies here.

Coffee region: Salento and Valle de Cocora

The Coffee Cultural Landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011: six growing areas with 18 towns, coffee grown on small plots on steep hillsides, houses built of bahareque. Salento is considered the oldest town in the region and lies 25 km from Armenia. In the Valle de Cocora, wax palms — the national tree — grow up to 60 m tall; tours also lead into Los Nevados National Park up to around 4,700 m.

The coffee region with Quindío, Caldas and Risaralda lies in an earthquake zone; earthquakes and aftershocks are possible there at any time. During the rainy season there is also a risk of landslides on roads and at regional airports. The current situation is published by the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.

Cartagena

According to UNESCO, Cartagena de Indias has the most extensive fortifications in South America, begun in 1586 and expanded in the 18th century, with the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas towering over the city. The old town, with the districts of Centro, San Diego and Getsemaní, has been a World Heritage site since 1984. Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) has its own nonstop flights, year-round from destinations such as Amsterdam, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto and Panama City; the FDFA urges particular caution in Cartagena due to crime.

Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park

Santa Marta is the starting point for Tayrona Park, whose main entrance at El Zaino lies 32 km, or a 45-minute drive, away; boats also run from Santa Marta and Taganga. The park closes every year from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. The park administration runs four entrances: Zaino, Calabazo, Palangana and Bahía Concha, with admission times that vary by season; individual entrances may be closed at times.

Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)

The city of the Tairona people lies at 900 to 1,200 m in the valley of the Río Buritaca: according to ICANH, more than 200 structures across 33 hectares, inhabited from the 7th to the late 16th century. The only permitted route runs on foot from Machete Pelao, a minimum of four to five days and 46 km round trip, with a guide mandatory. The FDFA recommends a guided group trip.

Villa de Leyva

The colonial town in Boyacá has been a national monument since 1954; its cobbled Plaza Mayor covers 14,000 m² and is the largest in the country. The Museo El Fósil houses the most complete pliosaur fossil found to date.

San Agustín

The archaeological park in Huila has been a World Heritage site since 1995: three sections totaling 116 hectares — San Agustín, along with Alto de los Ídolos and Alto de las Piedras near Isnos. The stone figures, some over 4 m tall, guarded the graves of a culture dating from the 1st to the 8th century. For the department of Huila, the travel advice of the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA differs; the easiest way to visit the park is during the day on a guided group trip.

Pacific coast: Nuquí and Bahía Solano

Nuquí and Bahía Solano in the Chocó lie on one of the rainiest coastlines on earth; access is by air from Medellín or Quibdó. From July to October, humpback whales come here to calve, and the nearby Utría National Park is close by. In the Chocó the foreign ministries' advice is strict; usually only the Utría–Punta Arusi coastal strip and Nuquí and Bahía Solano when arriving by air are excluded.

Amazon: Leticia

Leticia lies at the tri-border area with Brazil and Peru; travel there is by air, and getting around locally is by water. Boats run to indigenous communities, to see pink river dolphins, and to Puerto Nariño. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for flights into the Amazon, and the malaria risk is high. More on the Amazon page.

Destinations

Regions with their own page

Cross-country

Cross-Border RegionAmazonThe Amazon rainforest stretches across nine countries, with more than half of it in Brazil.

When is the best time to visit Colombia?

In short

Colombia has no summer-winter cycle, but rather dry and rainy seasons that vary by region. In most parts of the country, December to March and July to August are the drier months; April to May and October to November bring the most rain. On the Caribbean coast, December to April is sunniest.

Temperature depends mainly on altitude and stays nearly constant throughout the year. In the Andean region it rains in two periods per year, often in the afternoon; according to the Federal Foreign Office, this frequently causes flooding and landslides.

Andean cities and coffee region

Bogotá	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	20	20	20	19	19	19	19	19	19	19	20
Low °C	7	8	9	10	10	9	9	8	8	8	9	8
Rainfall mm	44	71	132	209	207	162	134	108	103	186	165	103

Medellín	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	28	28	28	28	28	28	29	29	28	27	27	27
Low °C	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18
Rainfall mm	134	111	155	230	246	179	183	206	202	232	221	172

Salento (Kaffeeregion)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	23	23	23	22	22	22	23	23	23	22	21	22
Low °C	15	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16
Rainfall mm	87	104	145	193	168	113	90	91	110	194	191	146

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL DORADO INTL (8 km, 2548 m), auf 2640 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station OLAYA HERRERA (3 km, 1506 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station LA NUBIA (45 km, 2094 m), auf 1895 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

On the Caribbean coast, little rain falls from January to March, and the most falls in October; according to the Federal Foreign Office, hurricane season runs there from June to December. In Leticia it rains heavily every month, least from July to September.

Caribbean coast and the Amazon

Cartagena	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	32	32	32	32	33	33	33	33	33	32	32	32
Low °C	24	24	25	26	26	26	26	26	26	25	25	25
Rainfall mm	2	3	10	60	178	135	160	160	182	242	181	56

Santa Marta	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	34	34	34	34	34	34	34	33	33	33	33	33
Low °C	23	24	25	26	27	26	26	25	25	25	25	24
Rainfall mm	2	2	7	30	114	83	79	96	130	175	104	26

Leticia (Amazonas)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	31	31	32	31	31	31	31	32	33	33	32	32
Low °C	23	23	23	23	23	22	22	22	23	23	23	23
Rainfall mm	309	256	289	236	199	158	132	117	144	210	230	280

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station RAFAEL NUNEZ (7 km, 1 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SIMON BOLIVAR (14 km, 7 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ALFREDO VASQUEZ COBO (2 km, 84 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

Best time to visit by region
Region	Favourable months	Note
Ciudad Perdida	January to March, July to August	heavy rain mid-September to late December
Tayrona Park	December to April	closed February 1–15, June 1–15, October 19 – November 2
Pacific coast (Nuquí)	January to April; whales July to October	most rain October to November
High mountains (Los Nevados)	December to March, June to August	below 5 °C possible

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia)

What do I need to enter Colombia?

In short

Swiss, German and Austrian nationals can enter for tourist stays without a visa using a passport; a national ID card is not sufficient. Within 72 hours before entry and departure, the free online form Check-MIG from Migración Colombia must be completed. On entry, up to 90 days are granted (as of September 2026).

Visa: The visa list of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as of August 12, 2024) lists Germany, Austria and Switzerland as visa-exempt for short visits.
Duration: initially a maximum of 90 days, extendable for a fee by up to 90 days; overstaying incurs a heavy fine.
Passport: must be undamaged and valid for the length of stay; according to the Federal Foreign Office, travelers with less than six months of remaining validity have already been turned away.
Check-MIG: free, to be completed between 72 hours and one hour before the flight; according to the Federal Foreign Office, airlines already require confirmation at departure.
Customs: cash up to USD 10,000 is duty-free; export of cultural goods, antiques and wildlife is prohibited.
Dual citizens under 18: departure requires notarized consent from the parent not traveling.
Other nationalities: separate rules apply. Which nationalities need a tourist visa for Colombia is listed in the Cancillería's visa list; Colombian consulates provide information, and Migración Colombia is responsible on entry.

Colombian authorities are authoritative; the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA summarize their rules, which can change at short notice (as of September 19, 2026).

Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · Migración Colombia

What vaccinations and precautions are needed for Colombia?

In short

The most important vaccination is against yellow fever: healthytravel.ch recommends it for all trips below 2,500 m and to San Andrés, and in national parks such as Tayrona proof is checked at the entrance. Hepatitis A is recommended for all travelers. Malaria occurs below 2,000 m, with high risk on the Pacific coast and in the Amazon; Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín are malaria-free.

According to healthytravel.ch, the yellow fever vaccination is not recommended only for trips confined to Bogotá or areas above 2,500 m. Anyone traveling within the country by bus, car or boat must carry proof of vaccination; it becomes effective after ten days. The CDC lists the vaccination as an entry requirement for everyone aged one and over, while the Federal Foreign Office and healthytravel.ch list it only for arrivals from certain countries. Clarify this with the airline and embassy before travel.

Other mosquito-borne diseases include dengue, chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche, so round-the-clock protection is advised. In high-risk areas, preventive malaria medication should be considered and discussed with a doctor. From 2,500 m upward, i.e. in Bogotá, healthytravel.ch flags altitude sickness. Healthcare is poor in rural areas, and according to the FDFA, hospitals often require a credit card or advance payment beforehand.

Sources: healthytravel.ch (Swiss Society of Tropical Medicine and Travel Health) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · CDC Travelers' Health · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland

How safe is Colombia for travelers?

In short

The FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA assess Colombia very differently by region. Border areas and the southwest are considered particularly risky; in the cities, crime and willingness to use violence are high, and knockout drugs such as scopolamine are a particular risk. For the current situation, the travel advice of the three ministries applies.

Structural risks of selected areas (excerpt; current rating at the FDFA, Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA)
Area	Structural risk	Planning note
Norte de Santander (Catatumbo), Arauca	Border area with Venezuela with armed groups	The foreign ministries advise against travel; read the current advice before any planning
Nariño, Putumayo	Border area with Ecuador, conflict area in the southwest	Provincial capitals such as Pasto and Mocoa are usually treated separately by the authorities; arrive by air
Cauca, Valle del Cauca	Attacks by armed groups in the southwest	Check cities such as Cali and Popayán separately; do not travel overland at night
Chocó	Remote coastal and jungle areas with armed groups	Nuquí and Bahía Solano are usually excluded when arriving by air
Huila (San Agustín)	Rural area, the ratings of the three authorities differ	A visit is safest guided, in a group and during the day
La Guajira	Border region with Venezuela	Avoid remote areas and the border region, heed the foreign ministries' advice
Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, coffee region	Street crime, knockout drops, taxi robberies	No advice against travel, but great caution

The FDFA and the Federal Foreign Office advise against overland travel at night, while the BMEIA advises against overland travel and independent touring in general. In the southwest, mainly in Cauca and Valle del Cauca, the Federal Foreign Office reports repeated bomb and drone attacks by armed groups. In the cities, all three warn of express kidnappings and drink spiking, often following meetings arranged via dating apps. Take taxis only via app or from an official stand; do not resist during a robbery.

Colombia lies in an earthquake zone, as do the coffee region with Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas and large parts of the Pacific. After earthquakes, roads and regional airports can be closed for a time. Anyone traveling to such areas should check the current status with the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA shortly before departure.

Current advisories: FDFA, Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA.

Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

How do you get to Colombia and travel around the country?

In short

The main arrival airport is Bogotá El Dorado (BOG), with nonstop flights to 107 destinations in 31 countries; long-haul flights also land in Medellín (MDE), Cartagena (CTG) and Cali (CLO). Year-round nonstop flights to Bogotá run from Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Istanbul, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, New York, Toronto and Panama City, among others. Within the country, flying is the fastest option, and the FDFA explicitly recommends it.

Nonstop connections to Colombia by world region (as of September 2026)
Region	Nonstop to Bogotá	Other arrival airports
Europe	Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London Heathrow	Madrid–Medellín and Madrid–Cali; Amsterdam–Cartagena, plus seasonal Madrid, Milan and Rome
North America	Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal	Miami and Fort Lauderdale also to Medellín, Cali and Cartagena; Toronto and Montreal to Cartagena
Central America and the Caribbean	Panama City, Mexico City, Cancún, San José, San Salvador, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana	Copa from Panama City also to Medellín and Cartagena
South America	Lima, Quito, Guayaquil, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, La Paz, Asunción, Montevideo	Lima also to Medellín and Cartagena
Middle East	Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, year-round), Doha (Qatar Airways, seasonal)	none
Africa, Asia, Oceania	no nonstop flights	connect via Europe, North America, Istanbul or Doha

Bogotá El Dorado is the country's largest airport; the Transmilenio line K86 runs from Terminal 1 into the city. Domestically, Avianca, LATAM and Satena fly, including to Nuquí and Leticia; Colombia Travel advises booking one to two months in advance.

From Switzerland, Edelweiss flies nonstop Zurich–Bogotá (WK92, Airbus A350-900, around 11 h 55 min; as of September 2026).

According to FlightConnections, the longest route from Bogotá is the seasonal Qatar Airways flight to Doha, at roughly 13,274 km and about 18 hours. Medellín has nonstop flights to 41 destinations in 17 countries, Cartagena to 29 destinations in 12 countries; starting a trip on the Caribbean coast often saves the detour via Bogotá.

Long-distance buses connect almost all cities, but the Federal Foreign Office warns of accident risk, landslides and strikes. Rental cars are worthwhile for the coffee region, according to Colombia Travel; German and Austrian driving licenses are sufficient, according to the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA. Overland, you can enter from Ecuador via Ipiales; for the reverse direction, according to the Federal Foreign Office, Ecuador requires an apostilled certificate of good conduct.

Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

What should you know about money and costs in Colombia?

In short

Payment is in Colombian pesos (COP); prices use a period as the thousands separator, so 10.000 means ten thousand pesos. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, including at ATMs. In remote areas such as Nuquí or on the way to Ciudad Perdida there are no ATMs, so bring enough cash.

Exchange money at banks or authorized exchange offices, never on the street. The FDFA recommends withdrawing cash only during the day and inside bank premises. Tipping is voluntary: restaurants may suggest no more than 10% and must ask first. The 19% VAT on purchases at tax-free shops is refunded at the DIAN counter at the airport on departure.

Tayrona entry fee for foreign visitors (as of September 2026)
Area	Low season	High season
Whole park	COP 81,000	COP 96,500
Bahía Concha only	COP 43,500	COP 43,500

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany

Where do you stay overnight in Colombia?

In short

In the cities, options range from hostels to hotels in colonial houses. In the coffee region you stay on farms among the plantations, in Tayrona Park in hammocks, tents or cabañas, and on the way to Ciudad Perdida in simple camps with bunk beds or hammocks.

The FDFA advises paying attention to the safety of the neighborhood when choosing accommodation. In Arrecifes within Tayrona there is camping, hammocks and six state-run cabañas. Near Nuquí, cabins sit directly on the sea, often reachable only by boat; arrange the transfer in advance.

Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia)

What do you eat in Colombia?

In short

The cuisine changes with the region. Colombia Travel lists ajiaco, cocido, tamal and almojábanas for Bogotá, and buñuelos, mondongo and bandeja paisa for Medellín. In Santa Marta there is fried fish, patacones, coconut rice and cocadas, and in the Amazon river fish, fariña and mojojoy.

Around Salento, trout and sancocho appear on menus; in San Agustín, achira pastries and chicha; in the Chocó, cheese soup and borojó jam. On the farms, you sample coffee right where it grows.

The Federal Foreign Office advises against non-industrially produced fruit and sugarcane juices, since they can transmit Chagas disease. According to Colombia Travel, it is better not to drink tap water.

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Colombia Travel (ProColombia)

What culture and festivals shape Colombia?

In short

Colombia is Spanish-speaking, yet around 65 indigenous languages live on, and the Pacific coast carries a strong Afro-Colombian character. Major festivals include the Barranquilla Carnival in February or March depending on the date of Easter, the Feria de las Flores in Medellín in early August, and the Fiestas de San Pacho in Quibdó starting September 20, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2012.

Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel laureate in literature in 1982, drew inspiration from Cartagena's old town. On indigenous territory, ICANH asks visitors not to enter houses uninvited and not to photograph people without permission.

The Federal Foreign Office warns of the life-threatening risks of ayahuasca ceremonies in Putumayo and the Amazon. Drug offenses are punished harshly; homosexuality is not a criminal offense, but is less accepted in rural areas.

Sources: Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Federal Foreign Office, Germany

What are the best experiences in Colombia?

In short

Among the most memorable experiences are the multi-day trek to Ciudad Perdida, the hike among the wax palms in the Valle de Cocora, swimming and snorkeling in Tayrona Park, whale watching on the Pacific coast from July to October, and the stone figures of San Agustín. In Bogotá, the Museo del Oro is worthwhile, and near Medellín, the climb up the Piedra del Peñol.

Ciudad Perdida: according to the ICANH visitor guide, from age 12; from the last camp, a stone staircase leads up to the terraces in 40 to 60 minutes. No mobile network along the way, and trash must be carried back.
Tayrona: swim only in designated zones, beaches marked with a red flag are closed; snorkeling takes place around Bahía Concha and the Granate marine sector.
Whales: humpback whales travel 8,500 km from Antarctica to reach the Chocó coast.
Los Nevados: a day trip to the Páramo de Santa Isabel or a three-day trek to the Nevado del Tolima.

Tayrona: admission times of the four entrances (park website, as of September 2026)
Entrance	High season	Low season
Zaino	7am–3pm	8am–5pm
Calabazo	6am–1pm	6am–1pm
Palangana (Neguanje)	7am–2pm, exit by 5pm	8am–3pm, exit by 5pm
Bahía Concha	7am–2pm, exit by 6pm	7am–3pm, exit by 5pm

High season runs from December 1 to January 31, June 1 to July 31, and during Holy Week. Accident insurance is mandatory; single-use plastic, speakers, alcohol bottles and drones without a permit are banned. On boat trips, always wear a life jacket.

Sources: Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia)

How do you travel responsibly in Colombia?

In short

Tayrona Park closes three times a year so that nature and the sacred sites of the four peoples of the Sierra Nevada can recover; the park administration counts 54 sacred sites there. On the way to Ciudad Perdida, all trash is carried back to Santa Marta, since there is no garbage collection there.

Puerto Nariño on the Amazon is certified as Colombia's first sustainable destination. In the Amazon and on the Pacific coast, book only certified boat guides, and do not feed wildlife.

Sources: Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Colombia Travel (ProColombia) · Colombia Travel (ProColombia)

What can Colombia be combined with?

In short

Ecuador, Peru and Brazil are natural choices. Flying to Ecuador makes sense, since the Nariño border region is considered risky and Ecuador requires a certificate of good conduct for overland entry. Via Leticia at the tri-border area, Colombia, Peru and Brazil can be combined in the Amazon.

Ecuador offers the Andes and the Galápagos in a small area, and Peru connects to the south. According to the Federal Foreign Office, anyone entering from Brazil needs proof of yellow fever vaccination. More on the rainforest on the Amazon page.

Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

Who is Colombia suited for, and who less so?

In short

Colombia suits travelers who want to combine cities, culture, hiking and the Caribbean in one trip and are willing to follow safety guidance. It is less suited to anyone who wants to travel spontaneously overland by bus or explore remote regions independently, since that is exactly what the foreign ministries advise against.

Anyone who struggles with the altitude of Bogotá at roughly 2,600 m, or who wants to skip vaccinations, is better off planning around it. Families will find easier destinations in the coffee region and on the Caribbean coast; only children aged 12 and up are permitted on the Ciudad Perdida trek.

Sources: Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia ICANH · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria

Colombia

What can travelers expect in Colombia?

How is Colombia structured as a travel destination?

Which regions are worth visiting in Colombia?

Bogotá

Medellín

Coffee region: Salento and Valle de Cocora

Cartagena

Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park

Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)

Villa de Leyva

San Agustín

Pacific coast: Nuquí and Bahía Solano

Amazon: Leticia

Regions with their own page

When is the best time to visit Colombia?

What do I need to enter Colombia?

What vaccinations and precautions are needed for Colombia?

How safe is Colombia for travelers?

How do you get to Colombia and travel around the country?

What should you know about money and costs in Colombia?

Where do you stay overnight in Colombia?

What do you eat in Colombia?

What culture and festivals shape Colombia?

What are the best experiences in Colombia?

How do you travel responsibly in Colombia?

What can Colombia be combined with?

Who is Colombia suited for, and who less so?

Worth combining

Routes through Colombia

Frequently asked questions

Where this information comes from

Plan Colombia with AVA