Everything you need to know for your trip to Colombia
Colombia is a country of amazing landscapes, rich biodiversity, stunning colors, and genuine people. It offers an immense amount of activities from sunbathing on white Carribean beaches to hiking to gorgeous waterfalls in Colombia. Here is everything you need to know and what there is to do in Colombia before your trip here:
Currency:
Colombia uses Colombian Pesos (different from Mexican Pesos). This currency has a lot of digits, and as of August 2023, 1 USD is equivalent to $4.104 Colombian Pesos. This means that pulling out several million pesos from the ATM is a common occurrence. The mental math that needs to be conducted to price things is quite the headache. ATMs are common in most tourist destinations and they almost all work with foreign cards. To save some cash, the banks Davivienda and BBVA have zero ATM fees for most cards with large withdrawal limits.
What colombian pesos looks like
Safety:
Despite its reputation, Colombia is not nearly as dangerous as it once was. During the 80s, 90s, and into the 2000s, Colombia was plagued by war and was a very dangerous place to be and it was not a safe place to travel. This has changed though. Violence has almost completely disappeared and tourism is now booming. Millions of people visit Colombia every year with no issues. A great place to learn about the history of this war is in the small town of San Carlos, Antioquía. This place was once an epicenter for violence and at one point 80 percent of the town had fled. The History of San Carlos is sad but valuable to learn. Thankfully however, the population has returned and it is now a popular spot for Colombian tourists. Despite it being a very safe place today, you won’t find many foreign tourists and so it's the perfect spot to experience an authentic Colombian town. Buses to San Carlos leave from the North Terminal in Medellin every hour.
Food:
Eating is an amazing experience in Colombia. The fruit is vibrant, cheap, and fresh. Restaurants are abundant and diverse, and street food is everywhere. One of the biggest things to learn about cuisine in Colombia if you are on a budget is the “Menu del Dia”. This is the name for a set lunch that can be found all across South America. It generally consists of a soup to start, a juice, and a main course which usually consists of beans, salad, rice, and your choice of protein. This set lunch is usually priced between 14,000-18,000 pesos ($2.50-$3.50). The good news for vegetarians is that a menu del dia can almost always be made vegetarian. Simply ask for it “vegetariana” or “sin carne” and they’ll simply serve it without meat (or with an egg if you ask) A restaurant in San Carlos that offers a great “menu del dia” is unnamed but can be found in a yellow building on the west side of the main plaza.
A typical “menú del día” in Colombia
Language:
Spanish is the official language of Colombia and is one that you are going to want to speak a little bit of. Unlike Southeast Asia, English is not widely spoken here and so you may struggle if you don’t speak any Spanish. Most bus drivers, taxi drivers, and restaurant staff won’t speak any English. While I do suggest that you learn some Spanish, you may as well do it at a quality Spanish school in Colombia. You’ll have a way more immersed experience and it will be far cheaper than doing classes back home. One of the best and most highly rated Spanish schools in Colombia is called Spanish Adventure. This place is located only 3 hours from Medellin and is located in a beautiful little town in the mountains. The town of San Carlos is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local culture and language and to strike up a conversation with a local.
Spanish class with "chispas" the pet of Spanish Adventure
Travel:
Like many other parts of South America, buses frequent the entire country. To get from one place to the other, it is almost always just a case of showing up to the bus terminal and asking for the next departing bus if you are going to or from a major city. If you are going between smaller towns, it may be worth it to ask your hostel in advance, as there may only be a handful of departures per day. For the most part, buses are safe, but traffic and drivers in Colombia can be crazy and roads can be windy.
In the big cities, it is safest to use uber when traveling around the city. They are held a lot more accountable as you have all of their information. Crime from taxi drivers does unfortunately still happen. One tip to know when taking ubers is that the driver will most likely ask you to sit in the front seat. The reason for this is because uber is actually illegal in Colombia, and so they are more likely to get pulled over by the police if it looks like they are carrying passengers in the back seat. In the case you are pulled over, the correct answer is that you are just friends with your driver.
In conclusion, Colombia beckons travelers with its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and warm hospitality. For those seeking an immersive experience, learning Spanish in Colombia is an excellent choice. The country's Spanish schools, like the highly-rated Spanish Adventure in the picturesque town of San Carlos, offer an authentic and cost-effective way to grasp the language while connecting with the local culture.
Colombia unfolds its treasures for those seeking a holistic travel experience, where learning Spanish, savoring delectable cuisine, and traversing its diverse landscapes create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Travel to Colombia, and be captivated by the enchanting tapestry of its sights, sounds, and genuine people, leaving you with a lasting desire to return for more unforgettable adventures.
