Colombia
The practical basics before you go: plugs, emergency numbers, money, tipping and the time.
The country in brief
About 53.4 million people live in Colombia, on 1,141,748 km². The capital is Bogotá.
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Population
- 53,425,635
- Area
- 1,141,748 km²
- Official languages
- Spanish
Facts change, so check the important things before you travel.
Population: World Bank, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Capital, area and languages: Wikidata. Facts fetched October 30, 2026.
Before you go
Which plugs are used in Colombia?
Sockets take plug type A/B, at 110 V and 60 Hz.
That is lower than Europe's 230 V: phone and laptop chargers handle it, but check hair dryers and the like.
What is the emergency number in Colombia?
Call 123 for police, ambulance and fire.
Do you tip in Colombia?
About 10 %.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Colombia?
Traffic drives on the right.
What currency is used in Colombia?
Prices are in Colombian Peso (COP).
What language do they speak in Colombia?
Official languages: Spanish.
How do I call a number in Colombia from abroad?
To call a number there from abroad, start with +57.
Entry rules and travel advice
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice. Your own government keeps them up to date, so check its advice before you book.
Links checked October 30, 2026.
From my travels
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Bogotá
25 May 2016, Bogotá. I went out to the square with the Simon Bolivar statue to wait for the free Bogota Graffiti Tour to start. First some tourists…
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Cali
19 May 2016, Cali. I woke up at about 06:30, relaxed, and at 08:00 I went for breakfast, 12' for coffee, juice, eggs, bread, jam and fruit. A bit…
