Colombia Beach Holidays
Caribbean palms, Cartagena old town, and jungle-meets-sea beaches in Tayrona. Find flights and travel tips for your Colombia beach holiday.
€1 = $3,665
Today
—
Travel warning
Weather in Colombia
Fri
Sat
Sun
SPF level in Colombia
Autumn
SPF 50+
Spring
SPF 50+
Summer
SPF 50+ (extreme)
Winter
SPF 50+
Entry requirements for Colombia
You can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism, at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
Your passport must be valid on entry, but Colombian authorities recommend it has an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave.
You must be able to show an onward or return ticket valid within the 90-day period.
You can speed up your entry by completing the 'Check-Mig' form online between 72 hours and one hour before you travel, although this is not mandatory.
As a visitor, you cannot remain in Colombia for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
Good to know:
If you're travelling to the islands of San Andres, Providencia or Santa Catalina, you must buy a tourist card from the boarding gate on the day of the flight.
You can bring up to 10,000 US dollars-worth of any currency into Colombia and must declare anything above this amount.
Safety in Colombia
Colombia is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Be vigilant against pickpocketing, mugging, and armed robbery, especially in major cities and on the Caribbean coast.
Avoid using unlicensed taxis and only use licensed telephone or internet-based services or taxis booked by your hotel.
Do not accept food, drinks, or anything offered by strangers due to the risk of being drugged and robbed or assaulted.
Always carry a colour printout of your passport's photo page and Colombian visa for identification.
Consuming alcohol in public spaces is illegal.
Avoid driving at night as driving standards are poor and there is a higher risk of accidents and robbery in some rural areas.
Bonus tips:
It is illegal to photograph military or strategic government sites.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but keep receipts to show customs when leaving the country.
Saily eSIM for Colombia
Skip roaming fees with Saily, our partner eSIM provider. Use code ATOBEACH for 10% off. Plans start at €3.94 for 1GB, valid for 7 days.
Activates when you land
200+ destinations
Code ATOBEACH at checkout
Driving in Colombia
British drivers can drive in Colombia for a limited time using their UK driving license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
80 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.0%
Remember: Colombia drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Colombia
Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation, as medical facilities may require upfront payment. Check that your insurance covers all activities you plan to do.
No vaccinations required
It is recommended to consult your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and health precautions. Drink bottled or purified water and be cautious about food hygiene. Altitude sickness can be a concern in mountainous areas like Bogota. Consider bringing medication for diarrhoea.
Cards & payments
Card payments are widely accepted in major cities, hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, smaller establishments and rural areas may prefer or only accept cash. Always check beforehand.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1 303 967 1096
Tipping in Colombia
Tipping is not always expected in Colombia, but it's appreciated for good service. It's becoming more common, especially in tourist areas.
Restaurant
10% is customary if service is not included. Check the bill, as some restaurants already add a 'propina' (tip).
Bar/Café
Rounding up or leaving a small amount is appreciated for table service.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is appreciated, but not required.
Hotel Porter
1,000 - 2,000 COP per bag is a common tip.
Hotel Housekeeper
2,000 - 5,000 COP per night is a common tip, left at the end of your stay.
Tour Guide
10-15% of the tour cost is a general guideline, especially for good service.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU's 'Roam Like At Home' regulation no longer applies to UK mobile plans. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Colombia. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for potentially cheaper rates.
Local SIM
10 GB for 30,000 COP (~£6)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Colombia
Voltage
110V / 60Hz
Plug types
Type A, Type B
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
WiFi is available in many hotels, restaurants, cafes, and public areas, especially in cities. Quality can vary.
Average speed
25 Mbps
WiFi is readily available in urban centers, allowing you to stay connected. However, it may be less reliable in rural areas. Consider purchasing a local SIM card with a data plan for consistent access.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
123
Police
123
Ambulance
123
Fire
123
Save 123 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Colombia
Country code
57
To call Colombia from the UK, dial 00 57 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
Carrera 9 No. 76-49, Piso 8, Bogota, Colombia
Phone
+57 601 326 8300
Website
El Dorado International Airport
Jose Maria Cordova International Airport
Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport
Rafael Nunez International Airport
Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport
Olaya Herrera International Airport
Recent updates
Safety
The specific warning about Colombia's presidential elections on 21 June and border closures from 20-22 June has been removed.
The border closure period during the presidential elections now starts earlier, at 6am on Saturday 20 June.
River borders are now also closed, alongside land borders, with Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
A new section warns of the second round of presidential elections on Sunday 21 June.
All land borders with Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela will be closed from Saturday 20 June at 6pm until Monday 22 June at 6am.
Expect busy polling stations, traffic disruption, and increased security.
The entire section titled 'Colombian Presidential Elections', which warned of disruption from 30 May to 1 June 2026, has been removed.
New election advisory: Colombia's first round of presidential elections is on Sunday 31 May.
All land and river borders with Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela will close from Saturday 30 May, 6am until Monday 1 June, 6am.
Expect busy polling stations, traffic disruption, and increased security presence.
Advice against travel to all of Arauca Department now includes the capital, Arauca, which was previously an exception.
Advice against travel to the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department now includes the capital, Puerto Carreño, which was previously an exception.
Most of Cauca Department is now advised against, except the capital Popayán. This replaces the previous advice for the western part of Cauca.
A new warning about explosive attacks in Cauca, Valle de Cauca and Nariño departments has been added.
The attacks occurred between 24-27 April, causing deaths, injuries and damage, including on the Pan-American Highway.
Expect road closures and disruptions, and monitor local media and authorities.
Beaches in Colombia
No beaches listed for Colombia yet.
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.