10 things to know before traveling to Colombia
Colombia is a unique country that was not on our radar for a long time. If you are planning a trip to this amazing country, these tips will be helpful in getting to know some important and interesting facts about Colombia.
Basic Spanish skills are invaluable - even in heavily touristed areas, you should be prepared for English not always being spoken or understood. A few simple Spanish skills should be enough to get by. Otherwise, it can be helpful to always have the Google Translate app (in offline mode) on hand.
Cash-only transactions are common, and banks without high withdrawal fees are rare. With a German credit card, you can withdraw money from banks like Davivienda and BBVA without additional charges, but these are mostly found in larger cities. Therefore, make sure to bring enough cash with you to smaller towns.
Distances in Colombia can be easily underestimated. The country is huge (approximately three times the size of Germany), and highways are scarce. So, plan enough time for travel between places and consider limiting yourself to a specific region.
Buses are the best mode of transportation in the country. Bus transport is cheap, straightforward, and usually quite comfortable. We rarely had to wait long for a bus and could buy all tickets spontaneously directly at the counter just before departure.
Colombians prefer not to discuss the topics of drugs and "THE" drug lord. The country wants to leave its dark past behind and be known for other things in the world besides what is glorified in Netflix series.
Tipping (propina) is often already included on the bill (10%), so you just need to agree when paying.
Buy fruits and vegetables at a local market. Not only is it delicious and regional, but it's also half as expensive as in the supermarket.
Safety: Colombia is now considered a safe travel destination, and we rarely felt uncomfortable. In big cities, however, we preferred to take an Uber in the evenings instead of using public transportation.
Although tap water is drinkable in most regions, we experienced some stomach problems and switched to bottled water from the supermarket.
Be prepared for loud music, as Colombians love to party and play their music loudly. Earplugs or headphones, or both together, will save you from sleepless nights.
