{"id":10883,"date":"2025-02-14T14:56:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T12:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/?p=10883"},"modified":"2025-02-14T14:57:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T12:57:19","slug":"how-to-plan-your-first-colombia-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/how-to-plan-your-first-colombia-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"How to plan your first Colombia trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a Guest post by Daniel Catena,\u00a0a US expat living in Neiva, Colombia. He loves traveling, learning about new cultures, coffee, and sharing ideas on his newsletter<\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Colombia in South America is bursting with wonder. It has a staggering 10% of the world\u2019s biodiversity<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/b> Also, Colombia is the only South American country<\/b><\/span> with coastline in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. You can discover intrepid rivers like the Ca\u00f1o Cristales with five colors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides natural beauty, Colombia is passionate about its abundant culture, friendly people, and plenty of destinations to explore. Colombia loves music and is famous for having 1,000 rhythms<\/b><\/span><\/a>. All 27 departments have a unique history. It\u2019s the second biggest in South America with 53 million people<\/b><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Colombia is absolutely worth visiting. Backpackers, luxury travelers, digital nomads, and Colombia tour groups can all appreciate Colombia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Colombia safe for travel?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Generally speaking, yes, Colombia is perfectly fine for international travelers. Please be aware the federal government has been engulfed in a lengthy conflict with different paramilitary groups. However, most fighting is far from primary tourist areas. Major visitor hubs like Cartagena, Bogot\u00e1, and Medell\u00edn carry low risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip:<\/i><\/b> Keep up with Colombian current events before booking a trip. Follow your local Travel Advisory page for updated information. There are resources to track the armed conflict<\/b><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Colombia welcomes foreigners, you should always be smart with your surroundings. A common Colombian idiom is \u201cNo dar papaya.\u201d<\/i> This means never let your guard down. Theft, scams, and petty crimes can happen anywhere. Always use common sense and street smarts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, most people are very friendly and willing to help travelers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro tip: <\/i><\/b>Colombia travel is easier when you know the locals. Resources like Couchsurfing, Meetup, or With Locals can help! There are also many Colombia vacation packages to explore with a group. Brushing up on some basic Spanish phrases is helpful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Extra tip: <\/i><\/b>Many Colombian cities don’t have potable water. It’s a good habit to ask for drinks without ice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What are Colombia’s entry requirements?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Colombia entry requirements vary depending on where you\u2019re from. For example, US<\/b><\/span><\/a> and EU<\/b><\/span><\/a> travelers can stay in Colombia for 90 days without a visa. However, most countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia require an online visa<\/b><\/span><\/a>. You need a passport with at least six months of validity to enter Colombia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: You may be able to extend your trip for another 90 days. Contact<\/b><\/span><\/a> the Ministry of Foreign Relationships or the Office of Migraci\u00f3n Colombia.<\/span><\/p>\n

All travelers need proof of a return trip out of Colombia. Airlines won\u2019t let you on a plane to Colombia without showing an exit ticket. Also, you must register your trip with CheckMig<\/b><\/span><\/a> 72 hours before going to Colombia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no immunization requirement, but it\u2019s recommended travelers get vaccinated for:<\/span><\/p>\n