Colombia / República de Colombia – Let’s explore here

Colombia is a large country in South America, almost five times the size of the United Kingdom. To the West lie the Andes mountains and the Pacific coast. Moving south from the Caribbean coast in the north, the land becomes savannah and then jungle as it enters the Amazon rain forest. Also in the north of the country lie the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a mountain range separate from the Andes range. Within the range are the Pico Cristóbal Colón and the Pico Simón Bolívar, both of which are almost 19,000ft in height above sea level (5,775 m) and only 42 km (26 mi) from the Caribbean coast. The Sierra Nevada is the highest coastal range in the tropics, and one of the highest coastal ranges in the world.

Colombia’s population is around 49 million (2023) and its capital, Bogotá is home to almost 13 million.

What currency do they use in Colombia?

In Colombia they use the Colombian Peso. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is widely accepted in major cities, although not in rural areas. Traveller’s cheques are accepted in major cities only. There are many ATMs in cities, although not all accept foreign issued cards.

All foreign tourists are entitled to VAT refunds on products purchased – apply at the offices of the DIAN (National Tax and Customs Department), located in the international sea, land and air ports, or at the Special Border Development Unit checkpoint.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Colombia?

They speak Colombian Spanish in Colombia. English is spoken widely in Providencia and Santa Catalina, but elsewhere is not spoken outside of major cities.

What time zone is Colombia in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

What’s it like to drive in Colombia?

We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂

Is wild camping legal in Colombia?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Colombia, although make sure the land is not private or used for cultivation of drugs.

If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!