Colombia Tours in 2024 & 2025

Visa requirements may change, for the most up-to-date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the Colombian embassy website in your country of departure.

Please note that a yellow fever vaccination will be required upon entry if you’re travelling from these countries in Africa and Latin America.

Other vaccinations to consider include hepatitis a, hepatitis b, rabies, tetanus, diphtheria, and MMR. Yellow fever is also a risk in certain areas of the country, so check with your doctor to see if you require it. This goes for antimalarials too if you’re travelling to the Amazon.

As advice can often change, you can check out our Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.

There’s never really a bad time to visit Colombia, however, in terms of weather — December to March and June to September are generally the best months. Bear in mind that these are also the busiest times to visit, so expect bigger crowds and higher prices.

February is a fantastic month to visit due to the Barranquilla Carnival, whereas if you’re wanting to visit the coffee region, the wetter month of April is probably the best. This is also low season, so you’re likely to have much of the region to yourself.

Weather variations in Colombia are more determined by locations rather than by clearly defined seasons. The main difference here is between the highlands and the lowlands.

The lowlands are by the coast, and generally enjoy tropical temperatures of around 30°C (86°F) all-year-round. The most rainfall falls in the months of April to June and October and November, reaching peaks of around 193mm (7.59 inches) in October.

The highlands tend to be much cooler, with highs of 20°C (68°F) in the capital Bogotá in February and March. Rainfall peaks in April and October. The most rainfall occurs in the verdant Zona Cafetera, which can reach highs of 364mm (14.3 inches) in October.

Tipping isn’t really that common in Colombia, except for in some restaurants and bars where sometimes 10% is added to the bill. Of course, if you’ve enjoyed a particular service, then you’re more than welcome to tip!

There are several times during the trip where there is an opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $5-10 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Plus, at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is more than appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline USD $40-50 per person, per week can be used.

In major cities like Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín, the internet access in Colombia is fairly good, and there are plenty of places for hotspotting. However, in rural areas like the Amazon, expect it to be much slower and, in some places, non-existent.

There are ATMs all over the country, which usually accept foreign debit and credit cards. Visa is more commonly accepted. They usually have a maximum withdrawal limit of 1,600,000 COP (around USD $400) and will usually charge you a fee. Each bank is different, so do your research before you travel to see which one works best for your bank.

We'd recommend bringing a mix of cash (USD is best) and your card in case for whatever reason you cannot access an ATM. USD are easily exchanged within the country.

It should be noted that there's no guarantee that your card will work here — check with your bank prior to travelling. You should also be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to www.xe.com for daily exchange rates.

Colombia has made great progress with LGBTQ+ rights, and it’s one of the safest places to be LGBTQ+ in the whole of Latin America. Same-sex marriage is legal here and has been since 2016, although given that it’s mainly a Catholic country, it can be relatively conservative in more rural areas.

As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgment, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.

While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.

Spanish is the official language of Colombia, and around 99.2% of the population speak it. However, there are many different languages spoken all over the country. Top estimates state that over 100 languages are spoken here, with 37 major languages and over 60 indigenous languages. In other words, quite a lot!

While opinions are mixed when it comes to the larger cities, we’d recommend for your safety not to drink the tap water anywhere within Colombia. Bottled water is cheap and safe and is widely available.

Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on the tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further information.

Whilst Colombia used to have major issues when it came to safety, the country has made leaps and bounds within recent years and is now considerably safer. Of course, it pays to be careful in larger cities, particularly at night. Take a licensed taxi.

Avoid the border areas with Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama due to the rebel groups resident there, and keep your wits about you when drinking. Bear in mind that most visits to Colombia are trouble-free — just use common sense and you should be absolutely fine.

G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.