In and out’s of traveling to Colombia

A little Spanish will get you a long way For a country so long enveloped by violent conflict, Colombia today is a remarkably open and welcoming destination for international travelers. Wherever you are, it’s easy to strike up a conversation with the owner of a restaurant, your taxi driver or a local enjoying the sunshine in a city plaza. And they’ll be delighted when you do.

Knowing more than the basics of Spanish can go a long way, spurring engaging, fascinating conversations about Colombian culture, soccer, history and politics. Colombian Spanish, particularly in Bogotá and Medellín, is considered one of the easiest to understand in Latin America since Colombians tend to carefully enunciate their words. Make the most of affordable language schools in these two major cities to get some practice in before you head out into the rest of the country.

May 12, 2025 | 6:55 am