Colombia uses the Colombian peso, COP. Prices use dots for thousands, so COP 10.000 means ten thousand pesos. ATMs are easy to find and usually give a better deal than changing USD cash. Take out pesos and refuse the machine’s conversion offer. If not, the exchange rate gets bad. Davivienda is often a good first bank to try, and some travelers have used it without fees. But cards do not always work the same way, so be ready to try another bank. A 4-digit PIN often works better than longer ones. Cards are common in major cities. But small shops, markets, buses, and rural places still need cash. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often offered or already included.

Colombia changes more by altitude and region than by normal seasons. In the Andes, Bogotá stays cool for most of the year, often around 10°C to 20°C. Medellín stays mild, around 17°C to 28°C. The Caribbean coast, Cartagena and Santa Marta, is hot and humid all year, commonly 27°C to 32°C. The Pacific is very wet, almost all year. The main dry periods are December to March and July to August. Rainier times are usually April to May and October to November. Rain often comes as short afternoon storms, not all-day rain.

The biggest real danger is city robbery and people being drugged in nightlife settings. This is often linked to dating apps, sex work, and drinking too much, especially in Medellín. Do not meet strangers from Tinder. Watch your drink carefully, and do not buy drugs. Small theft and muggings also happen in Bogotá, Cartagena, and on public streets, even during the day. Keep phones, watches, and cash out of sight. Check maps inside a shop, not on the sidewalk. After dark, use Uber, Cabify, Taxis Libres, or a taxi called by your hostel. Be extra careful in Parque Lleras, and border regions are a very different risk.

Buses are the main budget transport. Major companies include Expreso Bolivariano, Copetran, Expreso Brasilia, Coomotor, and Rápido Ochoa. You can buy tickets on redBus or at terminals. Price examples are Medellín to Guatapé around COP 19,000, and Bogotá to Medellín around COP 100,000. Expect delays on mountain roads, landslides, and travel times that look unreal on paper. In cities, Medellín’s Metro and cable cars are excellent. Bogotá uses TransMilenio at COP 3,550 per ride, and a Tullave card costs COP 8,000. For late-night trips or days with luggage, use Uber, Cabify, or Taxis Libres instead of random street taxis.

Tap water is safest in Bogotá. Outside Bogotá, bottled or filtered water is the safer normal choice. The main health problems are stomach issues, dehydration on the coast, altitude in Bogotá and other highland places, and mosquito diseases like dengue. Malaria and yellow fever also matter in some regions. Bring repellent, and take the heat seriously in Cartagena. If something goes wrong, private clinics in big cities are usually your best option. Care is more limited in smaller places. Good insurance is important, especially if you need evacuation from remote areas.

Physical prepaid SIMs are very easy to get in Colombia. Claro, Movistar, and Tigo are the main companies. Buying one is usually simple in carrier shops, kiosks, and malls. Local prepaid plans cost less than travel eSIMs and give you a Colombian number. One solid known option is Movistar prepago at COP 18,500 for 30 days, with unlimited calls and texts plus 27 GB. Coverage is good in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and on main routes. But beach towns and rural areas become patchy very quickly. Palomino and Minca can be unreliable enough to ruin a workday. Keep some mobile data as backup, even if your hostel says the Wi-Fi is strong.

Spanish is the main language here. You can find English in some hostels, tourist offices, and parts of Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Coffee Zone. But it disappears quickly in markets, small restaurants, buses, and daily tasks. A little Spanish helps a lot. It makes travel easier and helps you avoid looking lost. Colombians usually react well when you try. On the Caribbean coast, the accent can sound very fast for learners.

Colombia rewards a simple and low-key style. Dress neatly, keep valuables hidden, ask prices first when they are not posted, and do not speak loudly in English in public. People are often warm and direct. They can also be more formal in daily greetings than many backpackers expect. So a simple hello helps a lot. Tipping is light, not a big show. In many sit-down restaurants, the usual question is whether to add the 10% servicio. Bargaining is normal in markets and souvenir stalls. It is less normal in places with fixed prices. Many first-time visitors are surprised by how fast a flashy look can change how people react around them.

Food is better when you focus on local lunches, bakeries, market snacks, and regional dishes, instead of looking for imported brunch. A simple local meal often costs about the same as a cheap set lunch. Street food and basic lunch places are usually best for your budget. Look for almuerzo corriente, arepas, empanadas, bandeja paisa in Antioquia, ajiaco in Bogotá, and Caribbean fried fish with coconut rice on the coast. In many restaurants, they ask if you want the 10% servicio added. Cartagena and trendy parts of Medellín can become expensive very quickly. So ask before ordering if the menu or portion size is not clear.