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The Complete Colombia Packing List

Colombia runs from Caribbean beaches to Andean peaks to Amazon rainforest. What you pack for Cartagena won't work in Bogota, and neither will get you through the jungle.

Updated Apr 2026
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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Overview
  3. Country essentials
  4. Cultural notes
  5. Caribbean Coast (Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla)
  6. Andean Highlands (Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Tunja)
  7. Coffee Country and Medellin (Zona Cafetera, Antioquia)
  8. Amazon and Pacific Coast (Leticia, Nuqui, Bahia Solano)
  9. Seasonal guide
  10. Packing Tips
  11. FAQ

Quick answer

Regions

4 regions covered

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Plug type

Type A, Type B / 110V

Language

Spanish

Pack layers for Colombia's altitude-driven climate: 55°F in the Bogota highlands up to 90°F+ on the Caribbean coast. Add a packable rain jacket for year-round afternoon showers, sturdy shoes for cobblestones, and SPF 50+ for strong equatorial UV. Plugs are Type A/B at 110V like the US, and US citizens get a 90-day tourist stamp on arrival, no advance visa.

Altitude drives Colombia's weather, not latitude. In a single trip you can go from the steamy 90°F Caribbean coast to the crisp 55°F highlands of Bogota to the humid 85°F Amazon basin. Cartagena at sea level and Medellin at 5,000 feet sit about an hour apart by air and feel nothing alike.

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Most regions run a bimodal pattern. Two drier windows fall in December through February and June through August, with wetter stretches between them in March through May and September through November. The Caribbean coast keeps it simpler: dry from December through April, wet from May through November. The Amazon stays hot and humid all year, with heavier rains March through July.

Colombians care about how they look. Paisas in Medellin go for jeans and polished sneakers. Rolos in Bogota layer sweaters and jackets over smart-casual outfits. Coastal cities are more relaxed, but locals in Cartagena still dress with intention. So pack for the climate range, dress a notch above your usual travel clothes, and bring real rain protection for the afternoon showers that hit most of the country.

Country essentials

Plug type

Type A, Type B · 110V, 60 Hz

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Language

Spanish

Visa

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays. Migration Colombia stamps a 90-day Permiso de Turismo on arrival, extendable once online for another 90 days. Maximum stay is 180 days per calendar year. Complete the Check-Mig form online 72 hours to 1 hour before your flight. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.

SIM / data

Buy a Claro or Tigo prepaid SIM at the airport for broad coverage. Tigo offers 5 GB for 7 days at roughly 10,000 COP ($2.50 USD). eSIM options include Airalo and Holafly, which work on newer iPhones and Pixels. Install your eSIM before departure so it activates on landing. Claro has the best nationwide coverage, including rural areas.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Restaurants often add a 10% voluntary service charge (propina voluntaria) to the bill. For taxis, round up to the nearest thousand pesos. Hotel housekeeping: 2,000 to 5,000 COP per night. Tour guides: 10% of the tour cost. Free walking tours: $10 to $15 USD per person. Avoid tipping with coins, as it can be considered disrespectful.

Driving side

right

Tap water

Bottled or filtered only

Emergency #

123

Cultural notes and dress codes

  • Colombians follow the principle of 'no dar papaya,' which means never display valuables or put yourself in a position where someone can take advantage of you. Leave flashy jewelry, designer watches, and expensive bags at home.
  • Greetings matter. A firm handshake between men and a light kiss on the right cheek between women or mixed company is standard. Skipping greetings feels rude.
  • Colombians dress well in daily life. Jeans and clean sneakers are the baseline in Medellin and Bogota. Cargo shorts, athletic wear, and flip-flops outside of the beach or gym will mark you as a tourist immediately.
  • Toilet paper cannot be flushed in most Colombian bathrooms. Use the trash bin beside the toilet. This applies to restaurants, hostels, and even some upscale hotels.
  • Pablo Escobar is not a hero in Colombia. Do not ask locals about him, wear Escobar-themed clothing, or treat his history as entertainment. It is a painful chapter that the country has worked hard to move past.
  • Punctuality is flexible in social settings. Arriving 15 to 30 minutes late to a social gathering is normal. Business meetings, flights, and tours, however, start on time.
  • Street food is a major part of the culture. Empanadas, arepas, and fresh fruit from street carts are safe to eat at busy vendors where turnover is high. Avoid stalls with food that has been sitting out without customers.
  • Colombian Spanish varies by region. Paisas in Medellin speak quickly with distinct slang. Rolos in Bogota use more formal Spanish. Coast dwellers drop consonants and speak faster. Learning a few basic phrases earns genuine appreciation.

Hot, humid, and sunny year-round. The coast is Colombia's beach and colonial history zone, with temperatures rarely dropping below 80°F.

Climate: Tropical with a simple dry season (December through April) and wet season (May through November). Temperatures stay between 80 and 95°F year-round. Trade winds from the northeast provide some relief from December through March. Humidity is consistently high.

  • beach gear
  • sun protection
  • light fabrics
  • reef-safe sunscreen
  • water shoes

👕Clothing

Essentials

  • Lightweight linen or cotton tops x5 (Light colors reflect heat on sun-exposed colonial streets)
  • Breathable shorts (quick-dry) x3
  • Swimsuits x2 (Rotate so one is always dry between beach and island days)
  • Wide-brim sun hat
  • Light long-sleeve UPF shirt (Sun protection for boat trips to the Rosario Islands)

Nice to Have

  • Casual evening outfit x2 (Cartagena's restaurant scene is casual but stylish)
  • Sarong or cover-up (Doubles as a beach blanket, modest wrap for churches, and shade cover)

👟Footwear

Essentials

  • Walking sandals with arch support (Cobblestones in the Walled City are uneven)
  • Water shoes or reef walkers (For rocky shores at Playa Blanca and the Rosario Islands)
  • Flip-flops

Nice to Have

  • Lightweight walking sneakers

🧴Sun & Health

Essentials

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) x2 (Coral-safe formulas are encouraged at Rosario Islands)
  • Insect repellent with DEET (Mosquitoes are active at dusk near the water)
  • Aloe vera gel
  • Imodium and electrolyte packets

Nice to Have

  • Motion sickness tablets (For the 45 to 60 minute boat ride to the islands)

🏖️Beach & Water Gear

Essentials

  • Dry bag (10L) (Keeps phone and cash safe on boat trips)
  • Waterproof phone pouch

Nice to Have

  • Snorkel mask (Rentals are available but your own fits better)
  • Rash guard (Prevents sunburn during extended snorkeling sessions)

When to visit and what changes by season

First Dry Season (Dec-Feb)

December to February · 55-90°F

The driest and most popular window. The Caribbean coast is sunny with trade winds, Medellin and the Coffee Region run warm with little rain, and Bogota is cool but drier than usual. It's peak season, so expect higher accommodation prices, especially over Christmas and New Year.

  • lighter layers
  • sun protection
  • holiday crowds
  • beach gear for coast

First Rainy Season (Mar-May)

March to May · 55-90°F

Afternoon showers turn daily across most regions, with the heaviest rain in the Andes and Coffee Country in April and May. The coast stays warm but gets muggier. Mornings are usually clear, so do your outdoor plans before noon. Fewer tourists and lower prices make this good value.

  • waterproof jacket
  • quick-dry fabrics
  • waterproof footwear
  • dry bags

Second Dry Season (Jun-Aug)

June to August · 55-90°F

A second dry window, a bit weaker than December through February. Medellin hosts Feria de las Flores in August. The Caribbean coast is warm and less humid than in rainy season, and Bogota stays cool. Good shoulder season, with moderate crowds and reasonable prices.

  • light layers
  • festival wear for August
  • sun protection
  • light rain jacket

Second Rainy Season (Sep-Nov)

September to November · 55-90°F

The wettest stretch in most regions, with October the heaviest in Bogota and Medellin. The Amazon eases into a slightly drier phase. Clouds hang low in the Andes and Coffee Region trails turn muddy. Tourist numbers bottom out, so this is when you'll find the best deals on rooms.

  • serious rain gear
  • waterproof boots
  • quick-dry everything
  • dry bags

Packing tips for Colombia

  1. 1Pack a packable rain jacket whatever the dates. Most regions get daily afternoon showers for part of the year, and the dry season still throws the odd storm.
  2. 2Bring SPF 50+ and reapply often. Colombia sits on the equator, so UV is brutal at any altitude. Sunscreen costs a lot to buy locally.
  3. 3Carry a reusable bottle with a built-in filter. Tap water is safe in Medellin and Bogota but not in most other cities or rural areas, and a filter covers you either way.
  4. 4Download offline maps before you land. City coverage is excellent, but it drops off fast on Coffee Region backroads and in jungle zones.
  5. 5Bring a small crossbody bag for the city instead of a backpack. Backpacks are harder to keep an eye on and an easier mark in crowded markets and metro stations.
  6. 6Pack to layer across altitudes. One trip can swing from sea-level Caribbean heat to the 8,600-foot chill of Bogota. A light fleece or hoodie packs down small and saves you buying one there.
  7. 7Leave room for shopping. Colombian leather goods, handwoven mochilas (shoulder bags), and emerald jewelry sell well below what you'd pay at international retail.
  8. 8Carry small bills in pesos. Street vendors, colectivo buses, and most taxis won't take cards or break a large note. Bancolombia ATMs give the best rates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Colombia as a US citizen?
No. US citizens get a 90-day tourist stamp (Permiso de Turismo) on arrival at any Colombian airport, and you can extend it online for another 90 days, up to 180 days per calendar year. One catch: fill out the Check-Mig form online sometime between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight. Your passport needs at least 6 months of validity past your entry date.
What plug adapter do I need for Colombia?
Colombia uses Type A and B plugs at 110V and 60Hz, the same as the United States and Canada. Coming from North America, you won't need an adapter or voltage converter. From Europe, the UK, or Australia, bring a plug adapter and check that your devices handle dual voltage (110V to 240V).
Is the tap water safe to drink in Colombia?
It depends on the city. Medellin and Bogota treat their municipal water and it's safe to drink. Cartagena, Santa Marta, and most smaller towns don't have reliably safe tap water, so stick to bottled or filtered there. A reusable bottle with a built-in filter covers you across regions.
What should I NOT bring to Colombia?
Leave expensive jewelry, designer watches, flashy electronics, and brand-name handbags at home. Colombians follow the principle of 'no dar papaya,' meaning you should not display valuables that invite unwanted attention. You also do not need heavy winter gear (even for Bogota, a layered system works), formal business attire, or a voltage converter if traveling from North America.
When is the best time to visit Colombia?
Go in a dry season. December through February and June through August are the two dry windows and the busiest travel times, with December through February the driest on the Caribbean coast. For fewer crowds and lower prices, the shoulder months of March, June, and November still get decent weather with far fewer visitors.
How should I dress in Colombia?
Colombians dress well day to day. In Bogota and Medellin, jeans or fitted trousers with clean sneakers or shoes are standard. Cargo shorts, athletic wear, and flip-flops away from the beach or gym mark you as a tourist. Cartagena and the coast are more relaxed, but locals there still dress with intention. Pack clothes that are casual but put-together.
Do I need malaria medication for Colombia?
Only for the Amazon, Pacific coast, or rural lowlands. Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena are not malaria zones, so a city-only trip needs nothing. If your itinerary includes Leticia, Nuqui, or other jungle destinations, see a travel medicine doctor before you go. They'll usually prescribe Malarone or doxycycline.
How much should I tip in Colombia?
Most restaurants add a 10% voluntary service charge (propina voluntaria) to the bill. You can decline it, but most people leave it. For taxis, round up to the nearest thousand pesos. Hotel housekeeping: 2,000 to 5,000 COP per night. Tour guides: 10% of the tour cost. Free walking tours: $10 to $15 USD per person. Don't tip in coins.
Can I use my cell phone in Colombia?
Yes. Buy a local prepaid SIM from Claro or Tigo at the airport for the best coverage and rates. Tigo runs 5 GB for 7 days at roughly 10,000 COP ($2.50 USD). eSIM options like Airalo and Holafly work on newer iPhones and Pixels, and you should install yours before departure so it activates on landing. For rural and jungle areas, Claro has the widest network.
Is Colombia safe for tourists in 2026?
Major tourist areas in Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, and the Coffee Region are generally safe with normal urban precautions. Use trusted transportation (Uber, InDriver, or hotel-arranged taxis), avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods, and keep valuables out of sight. The U.S. State Department keeps Colombia at a Level 3 advisory (reconsider travel) as of 2026, with some border and rural departments at Level 4 (do not travel). Check the current advisory for your specific destinations before you book.

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