What Not to Do in Colombia
Are you planning a trip to Colombia for the first time? Here’s what NOT to do in Colombia.
Colombia is an amazing destination, and it’s a country I’ve been to twice now. I have also traveled very extensively throughout Latin America. So I’m writing this guide to show you the biggest mistakes that many first-time visitors make in Colombia, so you know what to avoid to make your trip go smoothly.
Colombia is a very misunderstood destination. Many people still associate it with the conflict and violence of guerrillas, paramilitaries, and drug cartels, even though Colombia has changed a lot in the 21st century (especially in the past 10 to 15 years.) It’s an incredibly diverse country that has a lot to offer.
However, it’s important that you know what to expect and prepare properly for your trip to Colombia to have the best time. Below you’ll find what not to do in Colombia, including major mistakes to avoid.
1. Not speaking a word of Spanish
Starting off, I think it’s a mistake to go to Colombia without speaking a word of Spanish. I’ve written about whether you need to speak Spanish to travel in Latin America, and for some countries, the answer is no. You can often get by in English, especially if you stick to popular tourist destinations.
However, Colombia is a country where speaking Spanish really helps. Many people don’t speak English at all (even when working in hospitality and tourism settings), so it will make your life much easier if you know the basics of Spanish. I would have felt challenged in Colombia if I didn’t speak Spanish.
The least you should do is brush up on Spanish on an app like Duolingo. You could even take a few affordable private lessons on an app like Preply before you go. You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing the basics will definitely help you communicate and get around in Colombia with ease.
2. Drinking the tap water (in most places)
As with many places in Latin America, you should not drink the tap water in most parts of Colombia. The main exceptions are the big cities of Bogota and Medellin, where tap water is generally fine.
Just to be safe, I recommend using a LifeStraw filtering water bottle wherever you go in Colombia. This has been my go-to for traveling all throughout Latin America and other parts of the world where you can’t drink the tap water. It has always worked well, and it’s better for the environment than bottled water.
3. Giving papaya
You’ll probably hear the phrase “no dar papaya” or “don’t give papaya” when you’re in Colombia. This is a general warning to avoid theft and pickpocketing, both of which can be major concerns in Colombia.
Basically, “papaya” is anything obvious or valuable that would make a thief target you. “Giving papaya” means you are walking around with your purse or backpack unzipped, have your wallet in your back pocket, are wearing a flashy watch and jewelry, or have your phone or nice camera out all the time.
In Colombia, you definitely want to be more discreet and keep a very close hold on your valuables at all times. Additionally, it’s important to stay alert and maintain situational awareness.
4. Fighting back in the event of theft
This is statistically not likely, but if you do become the victim of theft or pickpocketing in Colombia, it’s important not to fight back with the perpetrator, even though that might be your natural instinct.
Your phone/wallet/purse is not worth putting your life at risk. This is why it’s also important to always have travel insurance. Things can be replaced, but your safety is priceless. (And I don’t say this to scare you — you’re probably not going to be robbed in Colombia, but it’s still important to be prepared.)
5. Renting a car
In some destinations, renting a car is a good idea because it gives you more flexibility and allows you to explore more. In Colombia, I wouldn’t recommend it for the majority of travelers. I would say it’s only a good idea if you’re a very confident driver and if you speak good Spanish. Otherwise, it’s not worth it.
Driving in Colombia can be crazy and challenging, and having your own rental car will probably cause you more stress than it’s worth. Public transportation like buses and tourist transportation like shuttles and tours are a lot easier and still give you a lot of flexibility for moving around the country.
6. Forgetting to wear sunscreen
The equator passes right through Colombia, and some destinations within the country (especially Bogota) are at a high altitude. This means that the sun in Colombia can be a lot stronger than what you’re used to.
Even on deceptively cloudy days, you can get extremely sunburnt if you aren’t careful! I definitely recommend packing sunscreen for your trip to Colombia and remembering to apply it throughout the day.
7. Traveling without cash
Although cards are accepted in many places these days, Colombia is still a cash-heavy society. You will often not be able to pay with card in local, family-run restaurants, at street food stalls, in smaller shops, or for many activities and tourist attractions. It’s a good idea to always have plenty of cash on hand.
I wouldn’t recommend carrying too much cash (no more than $100 at a time in cities is a good rule), but you should definitely always have some. If you’re visiting more rural destinations and small towns, then you might also want to take out enough for several days, because ATMs might not always be available.
8. Going to the restrooms unprepared
Unless you’re at a nicer establishment like a hotel or a touristy restaurant, you will find that many public restrooms in Colombia are quite basic. It’s pretty common that they won’t have toilet paper or soap.
For this reason, I always recommend traveling with some extra toilet paper or tissues in your bag, as well as hand sanitizer. Also, you aren’t supposed to flush toilet paper in most restrooms in Colombia, because the plumbing can’t handle it. You’ll notice that most people throw it away in the trash can instead.
9. Skipping Bogota
A lot of people who visit Colombia skip the capital Bogota entirely, or only spend a single day there. I think this is a mistake! For some reason, people have the idea that Bogota is uninteresting. I can’t imagine why — I loved it! I definitely recommend spending at least three days in Bogota to fully explore.
The oldest part of the city, La Candelaria, is really cool, especially if you’re interested in history and culture. There are several museums worth checking out, like the Botero Museum and the Gold Museum.
Taking the cable car or funicular up to Monserrate is another must while in Bogota, and you’ll get sweeping views of the city from this mountaintop oasis. There are also some great day trips you can do from Bogota, like visiting the town of Zipaquira with its awe-inspiring underground Salt Cathedral.
10. Taking the bus instead of flying
If you’re on a backpacker budget and traveling all around Colombia, you might think that taking buses instead of flying is a good idea. After all, this is the case in many parts of Latin America.
However, it really isn’t much cheaper in Colombia. Long-distance buses often cost about the same as short-haul domestic flights on airlines like Avianca, Latam, Copa, JetSmart, and Wingo. And the amount of time you’ll save by flying cannot be overstated enough. It’s so much faster than taking buses!
For example, Bogota to Medellin by bus takes anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. Flying takes literally 40 minutes. And if the bus is $35 and a flight on a budget airline is $40, it’s a no-brainer to fly.
11. Only visiting big cities
A lot of people who visit Colombia only stick to the cities, like Medellin, Cartagena, Bogota, and maybe Cali. Colombia has amazing cities, but there’s so much more to the country than just its urban areas.
Small towns like Villa de Leyva and Guatape and areas of natural beauty like tropical Tayrona National Park or the impressive palm-filled Cocora Valley should not be missed. For adventurous travelers, destinations like San Gil (known for adventure sports) and activities like the Lost City Trek are incredible.
12. Going on a Pablo Escobar tour
The drug lord Pablo Escobar is one of the most notorious figures in Colombian history, known for being the most powerful man in the country throughout the 1980s and early 1990s until he was killed. TV series like Narcos have further popularized (and some would say, glamorized) Escobar and drug trafficking.
Many Colombians are ready to put this part of their history behind them. But especially in Medellin, where Pablo Escobar was from, tours focusing on the kingpin are quite popular. If you really want to do an Escobar tour, make sure it’s an ethical one that focuses on the true history, not one that glamorizes it.
13. Haggling aggressively
While haggling when shopping for souvenirs or buying anything in local marketplaces is common in some countries throughout the world, it’s not really a “thing” in Colombia. Many souvenir stores will have fixed prices with price stickers on the items for sale, so that’s definitely not a situation where you can haggle.
If there aren’t any price stickers at a market stall, you can try politely haggling for an item and offer 10% to 20% less than the first price the seller tells you. But the sort of aggressive haggling that is very common and expected in the souks of Morocco, Egypt, or Turkey is not acceptable in Colombia.
14. Dressing for the wrong weather
A lot of people automatically assume that Colombia has hot and tropical weather. However, this is not always the case! The northern coast of the country definitely has a Caribbean climate, and places like Cartagena and Tayrona National Park are very hot and humid year-round. But that’s not true everywhere.
Some high-altitude cities like Bogota can actually be quite chilly. Medellin is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” and is typically pretty warm. Most cities in Colombia have a distinctive “rainy season” where daily rainstorms are common. So don’t just assume everywhere will be the same when packing for your trip!
The specific destinations you’re visiting, as well as the time of year of your trip, will inform exactly what you need to pack for Colombia. This is something very important to research in advance.
15. Taking taxis (especially at night)
One thing I heard repeatedly in Colombia from locals was that Ubers are safer than taxis. Uber is very common in cities throughout Colombia, and just as affordable (if not cheaper) than taking taxis.
They’re also considered to be more secure than taxis, especially at night. It’s a good idea to avoid hopping into a taxi on the street, and to find a safe place to call and wait for an Uber instead.
16. Being too relaxed about partying
One more mistake to avoid in Colombia is being too relaxed about partying and nightlife. Many people travel to Colombia to experience the nightlife, and it can be fun. You can absolutely enjoy a night of salsa dancing or partying at a nightclub safely. But this is not where you should let your guard down.
For solo female travelers, I definitely recommend exercising caution and only going out with a group, never alone. Even for solo male travelers, you should be very cautious — drink spiking and robbery are not unheard of. You should limit how much you drink, and never accept drinks you didn’t see being made.
And it should go without saying, but you should never take drugs in Colombia. Bad decisions on a night out are what lead to a lot of problems for tourists in Colombia, and it’s honestly very easy to avoid.
Mistakes to Avoid in Colombia
This guide showed you what NOT to do in Colombia.
Despite what you might have heard, Colombia is an amazing destination that can be enjoyed safely. It’s not the 1990s or early 2000s anymore, and this country has gone through a lot of positive changes.
That being said, it’s important to be prepared when traveling to Colombia (as is the case anywhere!) These tips will help you know what to expect on your trip so that you can have a smooth experience.
Enjoy your trip to Colombia!
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