Heading to Colombia soon? We’ve got you covered!
Avoid unexpected surprises and make the most of your Colombia trip: Here are the top things to know before you go.
Colombia travel requirements depend on your nationality. If you are a citizen of one of the many countries Colombia has visa exemption agreements with, you only need your passport to enter the country for tourism; a tourist visa is not required. These countries include, for example, North American countries, European countries and Australia. You must complete Migración Colombia’s free Online Check-Mig Form latest 1 hour before boarding an international inbound or outbound flight.
Colombia is easily accessible by air, land, and sea, with most travelers arriving by international flight.
No matter how and where you enter, make sure to check the entry requirements before your trip.
Photo by Ross Parmly, Flying (mod.)
You are usually required to show proof of onward travel at the migration desk at the Colombian arrival airport (and sometimes already when boarding the flight at departure).
With your passport, you can stay 90 days in Colombia as a tourist with the possibility of a one-time extension of another 90 days, meaning you can stay up to 180 days per year in total.
You can ask Migración Colombia for an extension via their online form (select “Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia”). Please keep in mind that you need to apply for this extension before your current permit expires (for example 10 days before). You can do this without worries since the extension will be attached to your first permit duration.
In the rare case that your application for an extension is rejected, you can immediately submit another one. (Sometimes decisions depend on the individual official reviewing your application and a new submission may get you to another person…) In case you don’t hear back from Migración Colombia it’s better to physically go to the nearest migration office with your “radicado” (a number you receive after submitting the online form) before your permit expires to confirm your request in person.
If you are doing a South America round trip, you can also leave Colombia and enter again at a later time until you reach your 180 days.
Photo by Travelhapp, A & B plugs Colombia
Spanish is the main language spoken by the majority of Colombians. On the islands of San Andres and Providencia , in addition to Spanish, also local languages and English are spoken. Indigenous people in Colombia have their own languages, like beautiful Wayuunaiki of the Wayuu people in La Guajira. There are over 60 indigenous languages in Colombia.
Be aware that English is not widely spoken in Colombia yet, though a lot of people, especially in regions that receive tourism, are eager to learn and practice.
We strongly recommend to you to learn some spanish words, also because this will allow you to get in much deeper contact with locals and better understand and cherish Colombian culture. Here are some recommended books, apps, websites and YouTube channels:
Travel phrasebooks, for example Pons Reise-Sprachführer Spanisch in German and Lonely Planet Latin American Dictionary and Phrasebook in English. There are also some free phrasebook apps.
Duolingo (Duolingo for iPhone and Duolingo for Android)
Brainscape Flashcards (Brainscape for Android, Brainscape for iPhone)
Easy Spanish on YouTube. Fun and useful lessons by some fantastic Mexican guys and girls
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Last Update: March 23, 2025
Image Credit: Title image on top by Jorge Gardner (Unsplash), Colombia flag (mod.)
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