Generally, Colombia is a safe place to travel (with a little know-how!). But like elsewhere in the world, Colombia has seen cases of coronavirus.
Check out our update below.
Colombia has not escaped the COVID-19 pandemic. However, travel to Colombia is possible.
Here's what you need to know before you go:
A local can help you stay up-to-date with the COVID situation and recommend the best things to do based on your interests. A coffee farm tour, perhaps?
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For more about traveling in Colombia safely, read on:
Colombia’s new 4th Generation Infrastructure Plan is funneling more money than ever towards internal transportation, ensuring that the nation’s roads are safe, regulated, and well-traveled. Why is this so great? It means trotting across Colombia is a breeze! Backpackers, solo female travelers, and sightseers of all stripes can now add road safety to the list of ways Colombia is safer than ever.
While exploring Colombia is a bucket-list trip for many, safety is sure to be on the brain. Your first question might be: is Colombia safe for women traveling alone? The answer: for sure! For the most part, locals are warm and willing to help travelers, especially women. On the flip side, there are always exceptions—some women report being cat-called and feeling generally unsafe while in South America. To that end, being smart and savvy is the best way to ensure your adventure will run smoothly. Following general travel advice is a good start—don’t flash valuables, keep an eye on your drink, etc. Another tip? Connect with other solo female travelers! Being open and friendly is a great way to make new friends as you travel across Colombia. For more about traveling alone as a woman throughout Colombia, connect with one of our local travel experts.
Backpacking across Colombia is undoubtedly one of the most incredible experiences a traveler can have. It’s an inexpensive country filled with mouth-watering eats, unbelievable places to stay, and endless fun. Because of the new roadways, seeing the entire country by bus is feasible—and completely worth it. Forget the dangers of hitchhiking; Colombia’s buses have you covered!
There are two major forms of long-range transportation used by the majority of Colombians: buses and domestic flights. Luckily, both of these modes of travel are cost-effective, simple, and safe!
Colombia is home to so many different types of adventures, so you’ll definitely want to be up to speed on how to get where you’re going. To really travel like a local, you’ll want to pick up some key Spanish phrases, which one of our Colombian Heroes can help you out with.
Barring a few sketchy locales discussed below (none of which are serviced by reputable bus companies anyway) busing throughout Colombia is safe and easy—even for families! To that end, there are a few things you should consider when taking long-haul buses in Colombia.
Top Tips on Seeing Colombia by Bus
Traveling across Colombia by bus has become increasingly safe, particularly since the implementation of the 2016 FARC ceasefire brought an end to Colombia’s long-running civil war. So whether you’re traveling in a (a shared minibus or van) or a coach/tour bus, it’s highly unlikely you’ll encounter any issues. Road crime is more likely to occur in the middle of nowhere—i.e., on desolate highways between minor towns than on major routes between large cities. So unless you're purposefully traveling one of these sketchy routes for the "cool story", there's almost no reason you would ever find on one of these: Colombia's roads to avoid.
Colombia's Roads to Avoid:
Taking a domestic flight across Colombia is short and sweet: most flights are under two hours, and getting to and from local airports is only a taxi ride away. Air travel standards have increased dramatically in the past 20 years, particularly following the increase in tourism in Colombia. Plane travel is, overall, safe. Even better? Plane travel is cheap. Some budget airlines include Avianca, LATAM, Viva Colombia, and —an airline owned by European budget airline Ryanair. Talk to one of our local Colombian travel experts to find out tricks and tips for navigating Colombia’s airports, and ensure your trip is smooth sailing—or should we smooth flying.
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To find out more about traveling across Colombia, chat with one of our Colombian travel Heroes to personalize your adventure, or message us directly. And before your trip, make sure to check out: