Planning Your First Trip to Colombia

To plan your first trip to Colombia, focus on a 'Golden Triangle' route of Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena to balance city culture, mountain scenery, and Caribbean history. Secure your flights at least three months in advance and budget for domestic air travel, as bus routes between major hubs take significantly longer than maps suggest.

1. Pick your anchor cities. For a first trip of 10-14 days, stick to Bogota (culture/food), Medellin (nightlife/climate), and Cartagena (history/coast). Don't try to add the Amazon or the Lost City trek on your first visit.
2. Book internal flights early. Use airlines like LATAM or Avianca for internal flights. A bus from Bogota to Medellin takes 9-10 hours; a flight takes 50 minutes and often costs under $60 if booked two weeks out.
3. Manage your cash flow. Colombia is still a cash-heavy society. Use ATMs in major bank lobbies (Bancolombia is reliable). Avoid carrying large bills; keep 20,000 COP notes for taxis and small snacks.
4. Set up your connectivity. Buy a local Claro SIM card at the airport or a small shop. It costs about $10 for a month of data, which is essential for using Uber or Didi—the safest ways to get around cities at night.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?

In Bogota and Medellin, the tap water is generally considered safe, but most travelers prefer to drink bottled or filtered water to avoid minor stomach upset.

Should I learn Spanish before I go?

You don't need to be fluent, but knowing basic phrases ('¿Cuánto cuesta?', 'Por favor', 'Gracias') is essential outside of high-end tourist hotels.