Colombia
Bogotá and Medellín are increasingly safe for travelers. Cabify, Didi, and Uber all compete. Rappi is everywhere.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
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Strong in Spain and Latin America. Often more reliable in mid-size cities.
Reliable in Bogotá and Medellín.
China's dominant ride-hailing app, also big in Latin America. China uses a separate app (DiDi China) from the DiDi Rider app used everywhere else.
Often cheapest option.
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Legal in a gray zone but widely used.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
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Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Strong.
📱Messaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal.
🍱Food Delivery
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Latin America super-app: food, groceries, pharmacy, cash withdrawal.
Dominant super-app — food, groceries, cash withdrawal.
Is Colombia one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- A / B
- Voltage
- 110V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
- Type A: Two flat parallel pins. Common in North America, Japan, parts of Central America and Asia.
- Type B: Two flat pins + grounding pin. Standard in North America for grounded appliances.
Same plugs as the US.
Tipping
A 10% service charge (propina voluntaria) is often added to restaurant bills; the server will usually ask if you want to include it, and saying yes is normal. Tipping taxis is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
CurrencyCOP
Spanish you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- Greet people warmly with 'buenos días/tardes' and a handshake; women often greet with a single cheek kiss.
- Colombians value politeness and formality, so use 'usted' and titles like 'señor' or 'doctor' with people you don't know well.
- Dress neatly and presentably, as appearance and grooming are taken seriously, especially in cities like Medellín and Bogotá.
- Accept offers of coffee (tinto) when visiting, as sharing coffee is a key social gesture.
- Be punctual for business but expect social gatherings to start later than the stated time.
- Use the phrase 'a la orden' which locals say to offer help or thanks in shops and on the street.
✕Don't
- Do not make jokes or casual references to drugs, cartels, or Pablo Escobar, which many Colombians find offensive.
- Avoid flashing expensive phones, jewelry, or cash in public ('no dar papaya', meaning don't give opportunity to thieves).
- Don't photograph people, police, or military without permission.
- Avoid discussing the armed conflict or politics dismissively with people you've just met.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Be wary of 'scopolamine' (devil's breath) drugging, where strangers spike drinks or hand over laced items to rob victims, especially around nightlife.
- Express kidnapping ('paseo millonario') can occur in unofficial taxis, so use ride apps or hotel-arranged cars rather than hailing on the street.
- Some bars and clubs pad the bill or charge for drinks you didn't order, so check tabs carefully.
- Fake police may ask to inspect your money or passport; ask for ID and offer to go to a station rather than hand over cash.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.