Tailor-Made Trips to Colombia

Is Colombia safe for travelers?

Yes, Colombia is a vibrant and welcoming destination. While the country’s past still lingers in popular media, the modern reality is vastly different, with millions of international tourists visiting safely each year. Like any major global destination, safety here is about awareness. Traveling on a curated tour adds an exceptional layer of security, making it easy for you to relax and enjoy the experience.

How this tour protects you

This itinerary is designed from the ground up with your security and comfort in mind. We minimize typical travel risks through careful planning:

• Safe Neighborhoods: We select hotels located exclusively in secure, well-lit, and highly monitored districts.
• Private Transport: All group transfers are conducted in private, vetted vehicles with professional drivers, completely bypassing unregulated public transit.
• Local Expert Guides: Our bilingual guides live in the areas you will visit. They know the local dynamics intimately and ensure you navigate every stop safely.

What to expect on the ground

The most common safety concern in Colombia’s urban areas is opportunistic petty theft, such as pickpocketing. You can easily mitigate this by practicing basic street smarts:

• Keep a low profile: Leave expensive jewelry, high-end watches, and flashier valuables at home.
• Secure your devices: Avoid walking down the street with your phone in your hand, and keep your bag zipped and in front of you in crowded markets or plazas.
• No dar papaya: Colombians have a famous local expression, “don’t give papaya,” which simply means don’t put your valuables on display or invite unnecessary attention.

Booking requirements

To ensure peace of mind for everyone on the trip, we require all participants to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip interruption before departure.

Summary: In Colombia, time is often viewed through a flexible lens rather than a rigid schedule. While your professional tour guides and scheduled departures for this generic tour will aim for punctuality, you will likely encounter a more relaxed pace of life known locally as “la hora colombiana,” where being a few minutes late is culturally acceptable.

Understanding “La Hora Colombiana”

When navigating Colombian culture, it is important to understand that social interactions often take precedence over strict clock-watching. This relaxed approach to time means that social gatherings, casual appointments, and even some local services may start later than anticipated. This isn’t intended as a sign of disrespect, but rather reflects a cultural emphasis on being present in the moment.

Summary: For most US or European or citizens, visiting Colombia as a tourist is a straightforward, visa-free process for short stays.

• Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of the European Union and Schengen Area countries can enter Colombia without a visa for tourism, business, or cultural activities for a period of up to 90 days.
• Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Colombia.
• Proof of Onward Travel: You may be asked by immigration officials to show proof of an onward or return ticket out of Colombia.
• Check-Mig Form: All travelers must complete the online “Check-Mig” form within 72 hours before their flight to Colombia.
• Extension: It is possible to apply for an extension of your stay for another 90 days, for a total of 180 days in a calendar year. This must be done in Colombia before your initial 90-day permit expires.
• Disclaimer: Visa regulations can change. Always verify the latest requirements with the nearest Colombian Embassy or Consulate before your trip.

Keeping Your Devices Charged

Colombia uses Type A and Type B electrical outlets with a standard voltage of 110V and a frequency of 60Hz. This is the exact same system used in the United States and Canada, meaning North American travelers will not need any adapters or voltage converters.

If you are traveling from Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, or Asia, you will need to bring a standard travel adapter. Additionally, please check that your devices (especially hair dryers or curling irons) are dual-voltage (110V-240V) before plugging them in.

Internet & Mobile Coverage

While you will have complimentary Wi-Fi access at all our major tour hotels, connection speeds and reliability can vary, particularly when we travel into more remote or mountainous regions. To ensure you stay connected throughout the journey, we recommend preparing your mobile setup before departure.

• Local SIMs & eSIMs: Purchasing an eSIM online before you fly, or buying a local physical SIM card (from providers like Claro or Movistar) upon arrival, is the most cost-effective way to secure reliable 4G data.
• Offline Maps: We suggest downloading offline Google Maps for our destinations prior to day trips, as cellular signals can dip in rural areas.
• Power Banks: Bring a portable power bank for long days of sightseeing and photography to ensure your phone lasts until we return to the hotel.

Prepare for Multiple Climates

Colombia is a country of remarkable geographical diversity, and your tour may take you through several climate zones in just a few days. Depending on the itinerary, you could experience cool mountain mornings in Bogotá (around 14°C / 57°F), mild spring-like temperatures in the Andes, humid cloud forests, and tropical heat exceeding 30°C (86°F) in lower elevations.

The key to packing comfortably is layering rather than bringing bulky clothing. Lightweight, breathable layers allow you to adapt quickly to changing temperatures throughout the day.

Luggage Recommendations

To make travel easier on domestic flights and during road transfers, we strongly recommend packing as lightly as possible.

• Checked luggage: Maximum 20 kg (44 lbs), as regional airlines often enforce strict baggage limits.
• Daypack: A comfortable 20–30L backpack is essential for carrying your camera, water, jacket, and personal items during daily excursions.

Clothing Essentials

A detailed packing checklist will be provided after booking, but we recommend bringing:

• Comfortable walking or light hiking shoes with good grip
• Lightweight waterproof jacket or quality rain poncho
• Breathable clothing suitable for warm, humid weather
• One or two warmer layers (fleece or light insulated jacket) for high elevations
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin for tropical regions
• Reusable water bottle

Remember that laundry services are widely available throughout Colombia, so there’s no need to overpack.

Travel Light

Photography tours involve frequent vehicle transfers, domestic flights, and walking between shooting locations. We recommend bringing only the equipment you genuinely expect to use.

A lighter kit makes travel more enjoyable and allows you to react faster when photographic opportunities appear.

Protect Your Equipment

Colombia’s changing environments expose camera gear to humidity, rain, dust, and temperature changes.

We recommend bringing:

• Rain cover for both your camera and backpack
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Several silica gel packs to reduce moisture inside your camera bag
• Lens cleaning cloths and blower
• Extra batteries (cold mornings and long shooting days drain batteries faster)
• Plenty of memory cards rather than relying on one large card

If possible, weather-sealed camera bodies and lenses provide extra peace of mind.

Recommended Camera Setup

For most photographers, we recommend carrying:

• Standard zoom (24–70mm or 24–105mm equivalent)
• Telephoto zoom (70–200mm or 100–400mm equivalent)
• Fast prime lens for low-light situations, portraits, or creative photography

Try to minimize lens changes outdoors whenever possible, especially in humid forests or dusty environments.

Tripod

A lightweight travel tripod is recommended if you enjoy:

• Landscapes
• Long exposures
• Waterfalls
• Blue hour photography
• Night photography

However, many street photography sessions are easier without one.

Power & Storage

Bring enough batteries and storage for a full day of shooting.

We recommend:

• 2–4 camera batteries
• Battery charger
• Portable power bank
• Universal travel adapter
• External SSD or laptop for backing up images (optional but recommended)

Security

Colombia is generally safe when traveling with experienced local guides, but common sense remains important.

Avoid displaying expensive equipment unnecessarily between shooting locations, and consider using a discreet backpack rather than one that clearly advertises expensive camera gear.

Your guide will always advise when it is appropriate to photograph and when it’s better to keep equipment packed away.