Visa requirements
Resolution 5488 exempts citizens of Chile, Spain and the United States from short-stay visas.
Source: cancilleria.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Arriving in Colombia
Entry requirements and practical information for staying connected, getting around and paying.
Information from official sources, checked on the dates shown. It may change; confirm each detail with its source before travelling.
Names and logos identify their owners and do not imply sponsorship.
Before arrival
Visa requirements
An authorised stay may be up to 90 days and may be extended to a maximum of 180 calendar days per year.
Source: www.cancilleria.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Entry requirement
Check-Mig is free and optional; it can be completed between 72 and 1 hour before travel.
Source: www.migracioncolombia.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Customs and baggage
Declare cash or monetary instruments above 10,000 US dollars on Form 530.
Source: www.dian.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Customs and baggage
DIAN sets conditions for travellers’ baggage and goods; check quantities and restrictions before customs.
Source: www.dian.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Mobile connectivity
Claro
SIM cardClaro sells a prepaid SIM with a package from 7,500 Colombian pesos; the line must be registered before activation.
Source: tienda1.claro.com.conormograma.crcom.gov.cowww.crcom.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Tigo
SIM cardTigo sells prepaid SIMs online with home delivery. The store lists the SIM at 15,000 pesos and a package at 13,000 pesos.
Source: ayuda.tigo.com.cocompras.tigo.com.cowww.crcom.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Movistar
SIM cardMovistar lists prepaid packages from 6,000 Colombian pesos; we couldn't find a separate SIM price on the source page checked.
Source: prepago.movistar.cowww.crcom.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
WOM
SIM cardWOM publishes prepaid tariffs, but the plan reviewed expired on 30 September 2026; that price is not treated as current.
Source: movilpt.cowww.crcom.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Claro
eSIMClaro supports prepaid eSIM for existing lines; we couldn't find a new tourist line on the source page checked.
Source: www.claro.com.co · Checked on 11 Nov
WOM
eSIMWOM offers eSIM for prepaid and postpaid plans; a compatible device and activation are required.
Source: movilpt.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Tigo
eSIMTigo offers free prepaid eSIM for compatible devices and a visitor option using a passport.
Source: ayuda.tigo.com.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Main airports
El Dorado International AirportBOG
Bogotá
Metro and public transport
3,550 Colombian pesosThe airport lists routes K86 and 16-14 from Terminal 1. TransMilenio publishes a unified system fare for 2026.
Source: eldorado.aerowww.transmilenio.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Authorized taxi
El Dorado lists Taxi Imperial as the authorised airport taxi; we couldn't find a fare on the source page checked.
Source: eldorado.aero · Checked on 11 Nov
José María Córdova International AirportMDE
Rionegro y Medellín
Bus service
20,000 Colombian pesosThe airport places buses on the first floor, door 2. COMBUSES serves this route and sells tickets on its official website.
Source: aeropuertorionegro.cowww.combusessa.com · Checked on 11 Nov
Authorized taxi
The airport lists authorised Raya Azul taxis. Medellín publishes 132,000 pesos for a basic taxi to the airport, but the page does not clarify the fare from the airport.
Source: aeropuertorionegro.cowww.medellin.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Rafael Núñez International AirportCTG
Cartagena
Authorized taxi
The tourism authority lists two authorised taxi stands; we couldn't find airport fares on the source page checked.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
Bus service
3,900 Colombian pesosTransCaribe’s route map marks the airport as a reference point on route T102 Portal–Crespo.
Source: transcaribe.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Money in Colombia
Currency and cash
The currency is the Colombian peso (COP). The TRM is a daily reference certified by the Financial Superintendence.
Source: www.banrep.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Currency and cash
Banco de la República lists Colombian banknote denominations in circulation.
Source: www.banrep.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Currency and cash
Banco de la República lists 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000-peso coins in circulation.
Source: www.banrep.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Card payments
Official tourism information recognises cash, electronic and card payments; acceptance depends on the merchant.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
ATMs and fees
The Financial Superintendence requires fees to be disclosed before a service is provided.
Source: www.superfinanciera.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Taxes
The general VAT rate is 19%, with special rates and exclusions. Restaurants and bars may be subject to the national consumption tax depending on the service.
Source: www.dian.gov.conormograma.dian.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Tipping
Tipping is voluntary. A business may suggest up to 10% and must ask whether the customer wants to include it.
Source: sedeelectronica.sic.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Exchange rate
Banco de la República explains which intermediaries are authorised to operate in the exchange market; check authorisation before exchanging money.
Source: www.banrep.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Transport in Bogotá and Medellín
Bogotá
The official unified fare applies to trunk buses, zonal buses and TransMiCable. TuLlave can be bought and topped up at authorised points and stations; the airport has a kiosk in Terminal 1.
Source: www.transmilenio.gov.coeldorado.aero · Checked on 11 Nov
Medellín
The system uses Cívica, with reload points and digital options. The general trip fare is not found as text in the source reviewed; the tourist card costs 12,100 pesos.
Source: www.metrodemedellin.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Emergency help
Single emergency line
Source: www1.funcionpublica.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
National Police
Source: www.policia.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Ambulance and medical emergencies
Source: www1.funcionpublica.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Tourist Police
Source: chat.policia.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, consumer assistance
Source: sedeelectronica.sic.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Places to visit from Bogotá
Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá
From Bogotá · 50 km
Direct buses leave from Salitre Terminal or Portal Norte; a tourist train also leaves from Estación de la Sabana.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
Villa de Leyva
From Bogotá · 165 km
Buses run from Bogotá and Tunja; Boyacá 95.6 FM lists the Bogotá–Villa de Leyva route and Colombia Travel confirms road access.
Source: colombia.travel956fm.boyaca.gov.co · Checked on 11 Nov
Medellín
From Bogotá · 430 km
Travel by plane takes about 45 minutes, or use an intercity bus.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
Cartagena
From Bogotá · 650 km
The distance shown is straight-line; the road journey is about 1,000 km. Direct flights operate from Bogotá.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
Cali
From Bogotá · 460 km
Travel by bus or plane.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov
Barichara
From Bogotá · 350 km
Buses run from Bogotá and take just over seven hours.
Source: colombia.travel · Checked on 11 Nov