Colombia: Complete Travel Guide for 2025
Everything about Colombia: Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, coffee, Caribbean beaches, budget and tips for your trip.
Why Colombia Is Booming
Colombia has gone from a country people avoided to one of South America's hottest destinations. Bogota is a vibrant cultural capital, Medellin has completely transformed, Cartagena is a colonial dream and the Coffee Region produces the world's best coffee.
Top Destinations
Bogota
Capital city at 2,640m altitude. La Candelaria, the Gold Museum, Monserrate, an emerging food scene and nightlife in Zona T and Chapinero.
Daily budget: 25-55€
Medellin
The City of Eternal Spring (22°C year-round). Comuna 13, the Metrocable, parks, El Poblado nightlife and an infectious energy.
Daily budget: 20-50€
Cartagena
Walled colonial city, Caribbean beaches, Rosario Islands, Getsemani and sunsets at Cafe del Mar. Romantic and vibrant.
Daily budget: 30-70€
Coffee Region
Salento, the Cocora Valley with its 60m wax palms, coffee farms and mountain landscapes. The freshest coffee in the world, straight from the plant.
Daily budget: 20-40€
San Andres & Providencia
The sea of seven colors. Crystal-clear Caribbean waters, snorkeling, Crab Cay and an island that looks like it belongs in the South Pacific.
Daily budget: 35-70€
Colombian Cuisine
- Bandeja Paisa — Hearty platter with beans, rice, chicharron, egg, plantain, ground beef and avocado
- Arepas — Corn cakes stuffed with cheese, meat or egg. Choclo (sweet corn) ones are the best
- Ajiaco — Bogota's soup with chicken, three types of potato, corn and capers
- Empanadas — Stuffed with meat and potato, fried and crispy. From 0.30€
- Lechona — Pork stuffed with rice and peas, typical of Tolima
- Ceviche — Colombian version with coconut milk in Cartagena
- Patacones — Fried and smashed green plantain, the universal side dish
- Colombian Coffee — The world's best. Tinto (black coffee) for 0.20€ on any corner
Budget
| Category | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |----------|-----------|-----------|---------| | Accommodation | 6-15€ | 20-50€ | 55-150€ | | Food | 4-10€ | 12-25€ | 25-50€ | | Transport | 2-6€ | 8-18€ | 18-40€ | | Total/day | 12-31€ | 40-93€ | 98-240€ |
Getting Around
- Domestic flights: Avianca, LATAM and Viva Air from 25€. Essential for long distances
- Buses: Comfortable and cheap. Bogota-Medellin 9h for ~15€, Bogota-Cartagena 20h for ~25€
- TransMilenio — Bogota's BRT. Chaotic but functional. ~0.60€ per ride
- Medellin Metro — Clean, safe and includes Metrocable
Tip
Colombia is incredibly cheap. A full lunch (corrientazo/set menu) costs 2-4€ at any local restaurant.
Warning
Bogota's altitude (2,640m) can cause altitude sickness. Take it easy on day one, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for the first few hours.
Practical Tips
- Safety — Tourist areas are safe. Don't flash valuables, don't walk alone at night in unknown areas
- Cash — Many places don't accept cards. ATMs have withdrawal limits (~200€)
- Colombian peso — 1€ ≈ 4,300 COP (2025). Everything looks expensive in numbers but it's cheap
- Uber/Didi — They work but are technically illegal. InDrive is the legal alternative
- Tipping — 10% at restaurants, sometimes included as "voluntary service"
- Weather — Bogota: cold (bring a jacket). Medellin: eternal spring. Coast: tropical heat