In and out’s of traveling to Colombia

Don’t get picky about punctuality As in much of Latin America, Colombian culture isn’t known for its strict adherence to the clock, and a punctuality-obsessed traveler is often a disappointed one. Since “Colombian time” practically occupies its own time zone, you should leave any notions of to-the-minute schedules at home. To avoid getting frustrated, relax and embrace being flexible. This is really the only way to deal with the typically laid-back Colombian attitude toward life, the universe…and pretty much everything else. While big, inter-regional buses and flights do tend to leave on time, tight schedules aren’t followed in many other contexts. If you’re making an appointment with a Colombian person or waiting for a rural colectivo to depart, bring a book as you may well be waiting up to an hour beyond the agreed time.

Taxis will help you get around safely While safety is no longer the overwhelming concern it once was in Colombia, taking taxis when traveling between neighborhoods in big cities is a sensible choice. Wandering around at night (particularly after you’ve had a shot of heady aguardiente or two) is often an invitation to opportunistic thieves. Taxis are extremely affordable and relatively painless if using a rideshare app such as Cabify or Uber. Hailing a taxi can leave you open to scams – or worse – so calling ahead for a cab (or asking your hotel to) is recommended. Always confirm the price or check that the taxi has a working meter before entering a vehicle.

May 12, 2025 | 6:55 am