Why Visit Colombia?
Colombia is a country that lacks big attractions to draw in tourists like its neighbors, Ecuador (Galapagos), and Peru (Machu Picchu). However, the country compensates for that with its crazy fun dance culture, amazing selection of coffee, and a great many hidden gems for travelers like you to discover. From the suspiciously tall palm trees in Salento to the beautiful coastal colonial town of Cartagena, one month is a perfect amount of time to get to understand the country and maybe learn some salsa in the process.
When to Visit Colombia?
The months with the highest number of tourists are from December to February, but Colombia covers a wide range of climates - from the hot and humid coast of the north to the mountainous, often wet Andes region. So, if you plan to travel the whole country, you will very likely experience all of these climates. That said, I think the best time to visit Colombia is during the shoulder season right before the high season. This way, the weather is more or less stable, and the cost of traveling is still relatively cheap compared to the high season.
How to Get to Colombia?
The best way to get here is to fly into Bogota. There are several flights from the US and Europe that go directly to Bogota. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Bogota that best fits your itinerary.
How To Get Around Colombia?
Tourist buses offer the most comfortable and safest way to get around the country. Although the road condition in Colombia is not the best and gets worse as you travel south, you can opt for a cheap domestic flight instead.
VivaColombia offers a cheap way for you to skip a 20-hour bus ride without breaking the bank, although they are often delayed and not the best service you can get.
In big cities like Medellin or Bogota, the safest and fastest way to travel around is by Uber. It is reliable and relatively cheap, more so than getting a taxi. In Medellin, the sky train is also a viable option.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Colombia?
Internet in Colombia is actually very fast, especially in big cities like Bogota or Medellin. I bought a SIM card from Claro and got myself a 2GB 30-day plan that cost me 46,000 COP. The coverage was very good around the country, except maybe in San Agustin. All in all, I highly recommend Claro. For more information, visit this page.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Colombia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Colombia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
