10 things you need to know before visiting Colombia

Colourful town of Guatape, Colombia.

So, you’re thinking of visiting Colombia? Excellent choice! I got a lot of questions about my visit to Colombia, such as “did you feel safe in Colombia?”, “why would you visit Colombia?”, and “what is there to do in Colombia?” My visit to Colombia was very interesting, I felt safe as a female traveller and I learnt a lot about Colombia’s history.

Here are my 10 tips that will help your trip planning and your visit to Colombia as smooth as possible.

1.     Be prepared for climate change

Hot temperatures in the north in Cartagena and Santa Marta, to cooler climates in the mountains in Bogotá, warm days and cool evenings in Medellín, and heat in the south in Cali. Be prepared for the sudden change in the climate, carry a mixture of clothing items such as  layered clothing,  jackets, and clothes for the hotter climate.

2.     Colombia is generally safe.

A lot of people have the misconception that Colombia is not safe. Like with every country you visit, you should be aware of your surroundings and be cautious. I felt pretty safe walking around. I did my research on the areas I would stay near by, and I avoided staying out late. 

3.      Learn some basic Spanish.

Colombians rarely speak English and if they do its very limited, so communication can be very difficult. I found that a simple task such as ordering lunch became a complex situation. I wish I knew important phrases like “quiero cafe con leche” which means I want coffee with milk or cuanto cuesta (how much does it cost) it would have made my interactions a bit easier. Side note, even if you do use Google Translate,  Spanish phrases or words mean different things depending on which city you visit, so do your research on that.

4.     Be prepared to use Colombian Pesos (COP$).

Make sure you change your currency to Pesos at the airport, as other currencies for example, the USD is not used by locals for tipping or purchasing items. Credit cards are common and accepted in many hotels and restaurants. 

5.     The transport system is good.

I was very impressed with Colombia’s transport system. It is very structured, cheap and efficient. Every thing runs on time and frequently. Medellin by far has the best transportation system in Colombia. The city has a metro and MetroCable system, which has become one of the best ways for tourist to visit and see various landmarks.

MetroCable system in Medellin.

6.     Go with an open mind.

Try an interesting meal such as Empanadas – a fried pastry filled with beef, chicken or cheese, and rice. Consider visiting popular landmarks such as the stone of El Penol, which has 740 steps to the 656 feet high summit. Do something daring such as zip lining in Medellin.

From L-R: View of the El Penol stone; summit view at the top of the stone.

7.     Colombian meal servings are huge

Colombian food can be heavy and consists of some eggs, beans, rice or pork. In Medellin, most meals had eggs and beans and pork. While Cartagena, near the coast mainly served seafood with a coconut mixture. The servings were quite filling. 

A chicken broth made of chicken and potatoes, usually prepared in Bogota.

Tamales Vallunos (Banana Leaf-Wrapped Colombian Tamales). made with made with chicken or pork belly, pork ribs, carrots, peas, potatoes, and chickpeas, popular in Medellin.

Crispy Pork belly with vegetables, egg and avocado.

8.     Beware of taxis

Always negotiate your cost of your destination before entering any taxi. Ensure that the meters are working properly. At the airport for any hotel transfers, please take designated taxis. Scammers would often times approach you under the disguise that they are taxi operators and charge you double the amount it cost the designated taxi operators.

9.     The culture of Colombia is slow paced.

In the streets of Cartagena.

Coming from a country where everything is fast paced, it can be a hard adjustment to get in the slow pace of Colombia. I found that there was no sense of urgency, everyone moved slowly to serve or do any form of business. 

10.  Considering getting your yellow fever shot.

When traveling its best to protect yourself than to be sorry. It is recommended that travellers between the ages of 1 – 60 years receive the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before traveling to high-risk areas in Colombia. Check with your local embassy about their recommendations.

At the Monserrate summit in Bogota.