Colombia
S. America · not on the board yet
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Votes for ColombiaThe short answer
December to March, or July and August. Colombia sits on the equator, so it has dry spells rather than seasons.
Altitude does the work of latitude here. Bogota is cold, Medellin is spring all year and Cartagena is tropical, and they are an hour apart by plane.
When to go
Best months: Dec to Feb, Jul to Aug
What a day costs
Per person, not counting flights.
- Hostel bed$15
- Set lunches$10
- Buses$10
- Hotel$40
- Eating out$20
- Buses and taxis$15
- Good hotel$130
- Restaurants$45
- Flights and drivers$30
What your whole trip would cost
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Votes for ColombiaHow far it is
- New York to Bogota5h 40m
- Mexico City to Bogota4h 20m
- Madrid to Bogota10h 15m
- Getting aroundCheap domestic flights, because the Andes make every bus ride long
- When to avoidApril, May, October and November, the two rainy stretches
Nonstop times from a few big hubs, to give you a sense of the distance. We have no idea which airport you are actually leaving from. Fares move weekly, so we leave those out.
When you land
- Airport to townUse the official taxi desk or an app. The airport is not far out, but the traffic is.
- Cash or cardCards in the cities, cash for markets and small towns.
- Getting onlineClaro has the coverage and a SIM costs a couple of dollars.
- What catches people outBogota is at 2,600 metres and the first day feels heavy. Slow down rather than pushing through.
What not to miss in Colombia
- The coffee region, staying on a fincaSalento and the wax palms of Cocora, and a farm bed for the price of a hostel.
- Medellin, and the story of itThe metrocable up to Comuna 13 with a local guide is the best walking tour in South America.
- Tayrona, arriving earlyJungle running down to the Caribbean. Entry is capped and the park shuts for a month each year.
- A salsa night in CaliNot a show, a normal Tuesday. Take one class first so you can stay on your feet.
Still deciding?
🧳 Plan your trip to Colombia
Good to know
Curated with 
Nemo
Written and checked by hand. Nothing here about visas or entry rules: those change often and depend on your passport, so check an official source.