Travel advisory · ColombiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Colombia.The warnings cover only these areas: Arauca department, Buenaventura city, Caquetá department, Catatumbo region, Cauca department, Chocó department, Colombia–Venezuela border, immediate areas (no distance given), Ecuador border areas (no distance given), Norte de Santander department, Tumaco, Valle del Cauca department, Casanare department, Guainía department, Guaviare department, Meta department, Nariño department, Northern Antioquia, Putumayo department, Southern Bolívar, Southern Córdoba, Vaupés department, Vichada department.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Arauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, New Zealand, UK, US
- Buenaventura city · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Caquetá department · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Catatumbo region · avoid all travel · Spain, New Zealand
- Cauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Chocó department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, UK
- Colombia–Venezuela border, immediate areas (no distance given) · avoid all travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
- Ecuador border areas (no distance given) · avoid all travel · France, New Zealand
- Norte de Santander department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Tumaco · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Valle del Cauca department · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Casanare department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, New Zealand
- Guainía department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
- Guaviare department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Meta department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand
- Nariño department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Northern Antioquia · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
- Putumayo department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand
- Southern Bolívar · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Southern Córdoba · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand, UK
- Vaupés department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France
- Vichada department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Brazil border areas (no distance given) (France), Cali–Popayán–Pasto–Ipiales highway (France), Cauca River banks (Sucre, Córdoba, Bolívar and northern Antioquia) (France), Colombia–Venezuela border within 10 km (US), Colombia–Venezuela border within 50 km, excluding Cúcuta (Canada), Communes immediately south of Cali (France), Darien Gap within Chocó (New Zealand), Ecuador border within 50 km, excluding Ipiales crossing (Canada), González and Río de Oro municipalities (Cesar) (Canada), Montes de María (Spain), Northwest zone around Panama border and Gulf of Urabá (Spain), Pacific coast (Chocó, Cauca, Valle del Cauca), excluding Nuquí and Bahía Solano (France), Panama border areas (no distance given) (France), Panama border within 100 km (Canada), Peru border areas (no distance given) (France), Amazonas department (France), Amazonas, within 20 km of Peru border west of Puerto Nariño (Canada), Antioquia department (New Zealand), Ariari region of southern Meta (UK), Bahía Solano, Capurganá and Nuquí (Canada), Bajo Cauca region (Antioquia) (UK), Cartagena del Chairá (UK), Colombia–Venezuela border within 5 km (rest of border) (UK), Cúcuta city (Canada), Earthquake-affected zone (Eje Cafetero and Suroriente) (Spain), Eastern Valle del Cauca (France), Ecuador border within 5 km (UK), Florencia city (Canada), Hillside communes of Medellín (France), Ipiales city and border crossing (Canada), Jamundí municipality (Valle del Cauca) (UK), La Montañita (UK), Northwest Antioquia, north of Buriticá and west of highway 62 (Canada), Orito (UK), Paramillo National Natural Park (Córdoba) (Canada), Paujil (UK), Popayán city (Canada), Popular districts of south Bogotá (Kennedy, Ciudad Bolívar, Altos, Cazucá, Soacha) (France), Puerto Asís (UK), Puerto Caicedo (UK), Puerto Carreño municipality (Vichada) (UK), Puerto Guzmán (UK), Puerto Leguízamo (UK), Puerto Rico (Caquetá) (UK), Quibdó city (France), San Jorge and La Mojana subregions of Sucre (New Zealand), San Miguel (Putumayo) (UK), San Vicente del Caguán (UK), Sanquianga region (Nariño) (UK), Santander department (France), South Pacific region (Nariño) (UK), Southern Sucre (France), Southern Tolima (Germany), Sur sub-region of Cesar (New Zealand), Telembí region (Nariño) (UK), Urabá region (Antioquia) (UK), Valle del Guamuez (UK), Western Valle del Cauca, including Buenaventura (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Mar 31, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution due to high levels of crime (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Keine Reisewarnung für das ganze Land (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to violent crime and the threat of terrorism (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Increased vigilance, with specific areas to avoid (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Colombia
Colombia is known for Cartagena's colonial walls, the Caribbean coast at Tayrona, and Andean cities high enough to change how the trip feels.
Colombia is a country in northwestern South America, and it is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Andes split into three ranges, so the country moves from hot coastal lowlands to cool highland valleys within a short distance. Bogotá, the capital, sits at about 2,600 m, and Medellín and Cali are also in the mountains. Cartagena has a walled colonial old town on the Caribbean coast, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta holds the country's tallest peaks near the sea.
Domestic travel is mostly by air, since rail carries almost only freight and rural roads can be slow. Altitude shapes the climate: below 1,000 m it is hot, from 1,000 to 2,000 m it is temperate, and above 2,000 m it is cold. The wet and dry seasons matter more than temperature, and they differ by region. The Caribbean has one of each, while most of the Andes have two. Pick one or two regions for a first trip, and check the season for each before you book.
Five things to know before Colombia
- Check which regions the travel advice covers
The UK advises against all but essential travel to several border and rural areas, not the main visitor cities. It also flags heightened security in Santa Marta and on the road to Tayrona. UK travel advice
- Fill in Check-MIG before you fly
Migración Colombia's online Check-MIG form opens 72 hours to one hour before travel and speeds up immigration. UK and Canadian passports get up to 90 days visa-free; carry an onward or return ticket. Visas and entry
- Check Tayrona's closure dates before you book
Tayrona National Park closes for about two weeks several times a year so the land and its Indigenous communities can rest. Check the dates on the parks service site. Tayrona National Park
- Take Bogotá's altitude slowly
Bogotá sits at about 2,600 m, and nights are cool all year. Plan an easy first day, and pack a warm layer and a rain jacket even if you are heading to the coast later. Bogotá
- Book taxis by app and watch your drink
Use ride-hailing apps or taxis called by your hotel rather than hailing on the street at night. Never accept drinks, snacks or cigarettes from strangers, a known route to robbery.
Colombia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The walled city, the islands and the heat.
Read the guideMedellínWhere to stay, the metro and cable cars.
Read the guideBogotáLa Candelaria, museums and the altitude.
Read the guideCoffee RegionSalento, the Cocora Valley and farm stays.
Read the guideTayrona National ParkEntry, closures and the walk to the beaches.
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free stays, Check-MIG and yellow fever rules.
Read the guide
Destinations in Colombia
CityGuatapéExplore
CityCaliExplore
CitySan AndrésExplore
CitySan GilExplore
CityLeticiaExplore
CityMedellínExplore
CityVilla de LeyvaExplore
CityIslas del RosarioExplore
CitySanta MartaExplore
CityMincaExplore
CityPuerto NariñoExplore
CityArmenia, ColombiaExplore
CityBarranquillaExplore
CityBucaramangaExplore
CityRiohachaExplore
CityManizalesExplore
CityCartagenaExplore
CityPereiraExplore
CityZona CafeteraExplore
CitySalentoExplore
CityBogotáExplore
CityPopayánExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- COP 70,000
- Food
- COP 45,000
- Transport
- COP 12,000
- Sights
- COP 10,000
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- COP 180,000
- Food
- COP 100,000
- Transport
- COP 35,000
- Sights
- COP 25,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- COP 350,000
- Food
- COP 220,000
- Transport
- COP 100,000
- Sights
- COP 180,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Dry seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Dry seasonFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Rains startMarchRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- AprilRain22 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°RainyAprilRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°RainyMayRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°DrierJuneRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Drier, windyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, windy
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Drier, windyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, windy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°ShowersSeptemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°RainiestOctoberRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainiest
- NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°RainyNovemberRain
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 189 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Dry, festiveDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, festive
Average daily high and low in Bogotá, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Colombia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 61%
Colombia
03:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°23°61%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Tue30°22°53%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Wed29°22°71%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Thu28°22°57%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri30°22°69%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat29°22°76%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun29°21°80%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated 11:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- JanBlack and White CarnivalAcross Colombia
- FebBarranquilla's CarnivalBarranquilla
- MarFestival Estéreo PicnicBogotá
- Apr
- May
- JunRock al ParqueBogotá
- JulInternational Poetry Festival of MedellínMedellín
- AugFestival of the FlowersMedellín
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Colombia: Karol G Tropitour Bogotá, Dec 4 – 6, 2026 · Slipknot (sic)est Stadium Tour 2027 Bogotá, Sep 16, 2027
Before you go to Colombia
Colombia FAQ
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
UK and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; check other passports on Migración Colombia's site. Carry an onward or return ticket, as airlines and immigration may ask for it.
Is Colombia safe to visit?
The main visitor areas, including Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá and the Coffee Region, are not under UK warnings, but several border and rural areas are. Read the current advice and follow local precautions on taxis and phones.
How many days do I need in Colombia?
Two weeks covers Bogotá, Medellín, the Coffee Region and Cartagena with short domestic flights. Add three days for Tayrona or the islands off Cartagena.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Colombia?
You need a certificate if you arrive from certain countries with yellow fever transmission, and the vaccine is advised depending on your route. Ask a travel clinic well before you go.
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
December to March and July to August are the driest months in the Andes. The Caribbean coast is hot all year and wettest from September to November.