Useful Things for Your Trip to Colombia

Updated: July 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

Useful Things for Your Trip to Colombia

Travelling to Colombia requires a handful of useful things — the right plug adapter (Type A/B), Spanish travel phrases app, Uber/DiDi accounts, RNT-verified tour operator, and weather-specific gear. This guide covers what to bring.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange trip-preparation consultation and tailored packing lists. Send me a message to start planning.

Climate in Colombia

Here are a couple of facts about climate in Colombia. There are no seasons in Colombia. Temperatures are almost constant all year round. The climatic fluctuations occur between summer (dry season) and winter (rainy season). The country lies on the equator and is crossed by the Andes Mountains. Therefore, one can find diverse ecosystems. Colombia has a topographical variety including snow mountains, deserts, sea, jungle, paramo, mangrove, among many other formations and biomes.

You can learn more in-depth about the factors that influence the climate in Colombia and how it is like in all its region on our overview for travelers.

Thermal floors

Thermal floors can be defined as the temperature of a place as a function of its altitude above sea level. This means that when you are in a mountain range more than 3,000 meters above sea level, the climate is cold. However, it is hot 20 meters above sea level.

Colombia has five thermal regions because it is on the equator and receives the sun’s rays vertically.

Warm floor:

Altitude between 0 and 1,000 meters above sea level. The temperatures are between 24 ° and 32 ° degrees Celsius. In Colombia, this area covers 80% of the national territory, divided into the Pacific, Caribbean, Orinoco, and Amazon regions.

Temperate floor:

Altitude between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level. The temperatures are between 18 ° and 24 ° degrees Celsius. This climate covers 10% of the national territory and a clear example of this are the cities of Cali and Medellin.

Cold floor:

Altitude between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level. The temperatures are between 12 ° and 18 ° degrees Celsius. Around 7.9% of the area is in this climate. Examples are the cities of Bogota, Tunja, and Pasto.

Páramo floor:

This ecosystem is only found between 3,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level. The temperatures are between 12 ° and 0 ° degrees Celsius. These areas are almost always in the fog and make up around 2% of the country’s area.

This ecosystem is vital to freshwater production in Colombia, and several Páramo areas in the country are protected by the government.

Glacier floor:

At altitudes of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, temperatures are below 0 ° Celsius. The cold winds and low temperatures make these landscapes unique. In Colombia, the highest peak is at 5,600 meters above sea level. The glaciers only cover 0.1% of the country’s area.

This type of ecosystem is prevalent and vital in the Andean region as most of them are the source of freshwater rivers and are used for human consumption.

Climate in the regions of Colombia

Colombia is a tropical country, but you can find almost all climatic zones spread across the country.

Caribbean region

This region of the country is located in the north of the country and borders Venezuela. The region consists of 8 departments and its climate is classified into dry tropical savannah and semi-arid or arid warm climates.

It is the hottest region in all of Colombia, with temperatures reaching over 30 °C in the dry season, while the area is more prone to hurricanes and tropical storms in the rainy season.

Pacific region

This is located in the western part of the country and borders Ecuador in the south. Its main characteristic is that it is the most biodiverse region in the world and one of the places with the most fauna and flora in Colombia.

The climate of this area is based on the tropical rainforest, i.e. it is a humid tropical climate. It is also the wettest area on our planet. Temperatures range between 24 °C and 28 °C for most of the year.

Andean region

This is located in the heart of Colombia and has various ecosystems such as moors, valleys, and plateaus. The Andean region consists of 17 departments, all of which have a very special climate. The climate is variable as it is cold, warm, and temperate. This variation is due to the location of the mountain ranges, which in turn have different thermal floors.

Amazon region

This region is located in the south of the country and borders Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela and it consists of 6 departments. It is one of the most important regions for the world as it is classified as the planet’s green lung, it is also the largest natural region in Colombia.

The Amazon is a protected nature reserve worldwide and its climate is humid and warm. The temperatures fluctuate between 24 °C and 27 °C. The humidity is always around 85%.

Orinoquia region

This lies in the east of Colombia and borders Venezuela to the east and the eastern Andes mountain range to the west. The region is divided into 4 departments and is characterized by an extensive grass plain throughout its territory.

There is a tropical monsoon and a tropical dry savanna climate. It is one of the hottest areas in the country, reaching over 30 °C in the dry season. The rainy season lasts from March to October and large parts of the area are flooded.

Useful clothes for the beach

The beaches of the Caribbean are very popular with tourists and are particularly crowded during vacation times. The beaches on the Pacific coast, on the other hand, are mostly empty.

• T-shirts / blouses / shirts that fit loosely and are made of soft materials
• Cotton shirts (sleeveless shirts), preferably white
• Pants / skirts or dresses
• Swimsuit / swim shorts
• Sandals / flip-flops
• Comfortable shoes
• Caps / hats
• Sunglasses
• Beach towel
• Comfortable backpack

A selection of Colombian beach destinations:

1. Rosario Islands in Cartagena de Indias
2. San Andres Island and Providencia
3. Nuquí in Chocó
4. Tayrona Park near Santa Marta
5. Bahía Solano in Chocó

Useful clothes for the desert

• Comfortable shoes
• Light clothes for the day
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Warmer clothes for the night

List of deserts in Colombia:

1. La Guajira desert, the northernmost desert on the continent
2. Tatacoa Desert in beautiful Neiva, near the village of La Vieja
3. Candelaria Desert in Boyacá, in the municipality of Ráquira
4. The Nemocón Desert, better known as “Tatacoita”, is located in the municipality of Nemocón
5. Zabrinsky desert in the municipality of Mosquera Cundinamarca

Useful clothes for the jungle

• Comfortable shoes
• Rubber boots
• Loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing
• Sweatshirts and comfortable jeans
• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Socks
• Rain protection or rain poncho
• Sunglasses

For the jungle, we recommend long pants and outerwear. This also protects against mosquito bites and skin contact with plants.

Colombian jungles:

1. Amazon rainforest
2. Choco rainforest

Useful clothes for the forest

Fun fact: Colombia has more than 59 million hectares of forest.

• Rubber boots
• Comfortable pants and sweatshirt
• Rain protection or rain poncho
• Cap
• Sunglasses

The most beautiful forests in Colombia:

1. Los Farallones National Natural Park in the Valle del Cauca
2. Otún Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in the Eje Cafetero
3. Cañón del Rio Claro Nature Reserve, three hours from Medellín
4. Chicaque Park, in the department of Cundinamarca, near Bogota.

Useful clothes for Páramo

The Páramos are ecosystems with a very cold and humid climate. From my experience, wearing rubber boots and a poncho has been a smart choice in my excursions.

• Rubber boots
• Waterproof walking shoes
• Thick socks
• Jeans or a thick sweatshirt to protect you from the cold
• T-shirts
• Waterproof jacket or poncho for the cold
• Cap
• Neck scarf
• Gloves for the cold
• Comfortable backpack for activities, preferably waterproof

Also, wear layers since the sun rays may get strong during the day.

List of the most spectacular paramos in Colombia:

1. The Páramo de Sumapaz, the largest in the world, is located south of the city of Bogotá.
2. Páramo Chingaza is located between Cundinamarca and Meta, on the eastern Andes mountain range.
3. Páramo de Ocetá, located in the municipality of Monguí – Boyacá.
4. Páramo de Santurbán, located between the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander.
5. Páramo de las Hermosas, located in the central mountain range of the Andes between the departments of Valle del Cauca and Tolima.

Useful glacier clothing

There are currently six glacier areas in Colombia in supervised volcanic zones and some of them can be climbed with the adequate permissions.

• Waterproof trekking shoes or shell shoes
• Warm clothing
• Thermal gloves
• Thermal jacket
• Sweatshirt
• Cap
• Sunglasses
• Thermal socks.

Equipment for climbing a glacier

• Crampons
• Gaiters
• Ice pick
• Rope
• Posts and anchors

List of glaciers in Colombia:

1. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
2. Sierra Nevada el Cocuy.
3. Volcán Nevado del Ruiz.
4. Volcán Nevado Santa Isabel.
5. Volcán Nevado del Tolima.
6. Volcán Nevado del Huila.

Recommendations of items that you shouldn’t leave at home

Dear travelers, here are a few more recommendations:

• Don’t forget your passport
• Take out travel insurance because, as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Always take cash with you. There are cities, islands, or regions in Colombia that do not have ATMs.
• Take rechargeable batteries with you. In some places, there is not always electricity.
• Don’t forget your flashlight.
• Protect yourself from insect bites anytime, anywhere.
• Sunscreens are essential.
• Don’t forget the power converter for your devices. The voltage in Colombia is usually 110v.
• Research vaccination requirements in tropical destinations.

We also recommend our article with 99 travel tips for Colombia.

More Colombia Travel Tips

• Colombia Travel Medical Advice & Vaccination Details
• 29 Travel Tips You Need To Know Before Coming To Colombia
• How and Where to Book a Trip? – Travel Agency or Internet?
• Is Colombia Safe To Travel To In 2024?
• 13 Reasons Why You Should Travel To Colombia In 2024
• Colombia Luxury Tours – A Guide to Luxury Travel in Colombia
• Colombia Vacation Guide
• Colombia’s Top 23 Largest and most Important Cities
• 99 Facts & Information About Colombia You Should Know
• Essential Guide to Economical Travel in Colombia – 2024 Edition

Travel to Colombia with Pelecanus

Would you like to visit Colombia? As a local tour operator based in Colombia, we can help you plan a personalized itinerary that includes Colombia and other destinations across Colombia.

Contact us via WhatsApp or write to us at info@pelecanus.com.co to start planning.

Contact Pelecanus | WhatsApp +57 321 214 6210

Verified 2026 update — what to add to the packing list this year

Colombia in 2026 has three practical shifts every traveller needs on top of the classic packing list: mandatory vaccines after the 2024-2025 yellow-fever outbreak, an incoming El Niño, and the newly-court-confirmed status of ride-hailing apps.

Health prerequisites (2026)

• Yellow fever vaccine is now required for Amazon, Pacific, Llanos, and Middle Magdalena regions following the 2024-2025 sylvatic outbreak (~120 confirmed cases, ~50 deaths documented across Tolima, Meta, Casanare, and Vichada per INS bulletins). Apply 10+ days before travel. Vaccination card (yellow WHO booklet) may be checked on arrival at Leticia (Amazon) and by domestic tour operators.
• Qdenga dengue vaccine (Takeda) is now available in Colombia for travellers spending 2+ weeks in the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. Two-dose regime, three months apart.
• Altitude — Bogotá 2,640 m, Villa de Leyva 2,143 m, El Cocuy trailheads 2,900-4,500 m. Allow 24-48h acclimatisation before hiking above 3,500 m.

Transport in 2026 — ride-hailing legality confirmed

A 2026 ruling by the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca affirmed that Uber, Cabify, DiDi and InDrive are all protected under technological neutrality — download whichever works best for your card. Typical hotel-to-attraction rides in Bogotá cost COP 12,000-25,000 (~USD 3-6). Bogotá Metro Line 1 reached 80.37% construction completion at 30 June 2026, with trial operations scheduled September 2027 and commercial service in 2028.

Foreign driver’s licences valid 180 days from arrival (not 6 months — the exact wording is 180 days per Ministerio de Transporte). Bogotá Pico y Placa restricts private cars by last plate digit weekdays 06:00-21:00 — check the current schedule before renting.

Climate 2026 — pack for El Niño

IDEAM confirmed El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific on 11 June 2026. Climate models put a 96% probability of persistence through November 2026 – January 2027, with 63% probability of very-strong intensity at peak. Expect below-average rainfall April-August across Caribbean, Andean and Pacific regions — drier weather is good news for hiking and beach trips, but pack extra sunscreen and re-check water conditions before rafting.

Legal + emergency (2026)

• Emergency numbers (nationwide): 123 general emergencies · 132 police direct · 125 medical.
• Tourist stay: 90 days for US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, Switzerland citizens — passport valid 6+ months. Arrival card (Check-Mig) required online 24-72h before departure.
• Verify any Colombian tour operator’s RNT at rnt.confecamaras.co — this is the government registry required by Ley 300/1996.
• 2026 arrivals record: Migración Colombia recorded 5,129,502 international arrivals in 2025 (+6% YoY), the highest ever. Tourism became the country’s leading foreign-exchange sector at USD 21.6 billion, surpassing coffee, coal and hydrocarbons.

Related Travel Tips

• Tips for Traveling to Colombia
• Is Colombia Safe to Travel To?
• Colombia Travel Cost
• Colombia Weather & Climate
• Travel Insurance for Colombia

FAQ

Is this relevant for first-time visitors?

Yes — basic preparation and awareness in this area enriches the trip.

Do I need a guide?

Recommended for most experiences. Specialised guides significantly improve safety and depth.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary widely. Most experiences range $40-200/day depending on scope.

When is the best season?

Dry seasons (December-March, June-August) preferred. Specific timing varies by region.

Is Colombia safe for tourists?

Yes with standard precautions in tourist areas.

How do I plan with Pelecanus?

Send a message via /en/about-us-contact/ or WhatsApp Frank at +57 321 214 6210.

References

• Procolombia
• Ministerio de Comercio

About the Author

I’m Frank Spitzer — Swiss-born, Bogotá-resident since 2015, founder of Pelecanus. From first inquiry through return flight, you deal with me personally — not a handoff team. I’ve driven across 30 of Colombia’s 32 departments to inspect roads, hotels, guides and routes myself, and documented it in 400+ first-hand videos on the COLOMBIAFRANK YouTube channel. Before a destination goes into a trip, I’ve been there, often more than once, and I’ve slept in the bed I’d recommend. That field scouting sits on top of a 20-year background in finance, an MBA from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, and a First-Lieutenant commission in the Swiss Army. I work in German, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, which is why luxury, golf, eco and wildlife travellers from Switzerland, Germany, the US and Latin America trust us to build trips that feel custom — not catalogued. Pelecanus operates under Colombian RNT 51402 and is an active IAGTO member.

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