How to Explore Colombia the Smart Way

Colombia is home to hundreds of breathtaking attractions, including lush mountains, incredible beaches, colorful pueblos, and, of course, bustling cities. Undoubtedly, your trip to the country will be filled with amazing and memorable experiences.

But before you book your flight, here are some useful travel tips and tricks.

Learn some Spanish.

Not a lot of Colombians know how to speak English, so it would be best if you learn a few Spanish phrases to make your travel better.

I highly recommend you learn some basic phrases that can help you ask for directions or order food. For instance, you can say these words:

• Tengo una pregunta (I have a question.)
• Quiero conocer… (I want to visit…)
• Podemos ver la carta? (Can we see the menu?)
• Como llegamos allá? (How do we get there?)
• Cuánto vale/Cuánto cobra/Cuánta cuesta? (How much?)
• A cuántos minutos es? (How far away is it)

These few words go a long way. By learning the local language, you’ll not only connect with the locals, but you will also gain a deeper understanding of their culture.

Avoid danger zones.

While Colombia is generally safe, there are still some areas that you should avoid, especially those areas with high crime risks, such as kidnapping, robberies, and terrorism. According to Colombia Travel Advisory, here are the places you should avoid:

• Arauca
• Cauca (except Popayán)
• Norte de Santander departments

Keep a low profile.

It is tempting to flaunt your jewelry and bring large amounts of cash for convenience, but they will put you in danger. Just bring your camera or phone and enough cash for the day.

You can also bring a copy of your passport for emergency purposes, but leave the real one and other valuables such as credit cards inside the safe box provided by the hotel.

Avoid riding taxis.

Taxis should be the last mode of transportation you use, especially if you’re a tourist. Some taxi drivers will not use meters so they can negotiate the fare with you and overcharge you. If you have to ride a taxi cab, make sure to have hotel staff arrange the ride for you and always insist to the driver that you follow the meter.

A great alternative to easily get around Colombia are buses. They are not only inexpensive, but they can also travel to smaller communities, where some of the best tourist spots can be found.

Keep your cool.

Most tourists from Western countries are used to things running like clockwork, so delays are a major annoyance. Meanwhile, in Colombia, delays are normal. Locals usually keep their cool until the situation straightens itself out.

If you’re bummed out, try to relax and be patient. Trust me, it’s better than lashing out and being an angry gringo in a foreign country. Try to enjoy every moment of your trip, even if you’re faced with an inconvenience.

Explore Colombia smarter and better

Whether you’re spontaneous or not, you should be able to make quick and wise decisions when visiting Colombia. That said, follow these travel hacks and enjoy your trip.