Travelling to Colombia from Canada : Complete guide

If you’re dreaming of escaping the Canadian winter to discover Colombia, this South American country is an ideal destination for Quebec and Canadian travelers: direct flights from Montreal, no visa required, pleasant year-round climate and low cost of living.From the mountains of the coffee region to the Caribbean beaches of Cartagena, and the cultural vibrancy of Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia is easy to discover in one to four weeks. Whether you’re looking for a winter getaway in January, a summer vacation in July, or an off-season adventure, this guide will answer all your practical questions.Good to know : From Montreal, allow around 5h30 for a direct flight to Bogotá or Cartagena, with tickets starting at $600-700 CAD in low season

Inspiration: Colombia’s must-see trips

Climate and best times to go

Read our full article on suje: when is the best time to travel to Colombia?

Colombia’s climate varies according to region and altitude. Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t really any marked seasons like in Canada, but rather more or less rainy periods. The country is pleasant to visit all year round.

High tourist season (December to March, July-August):

• Drier, sunnier weather
• Ideal temperatures on the Caribbean coast and in the coffee region
• Higher prices for accommodation and flights
• Busier tourist sites
• Ideal time to escape the Canadian winter

Low season (April to June, September to November):

• More rain, especially in April-May and October-November
• Rainfall is generally short (1-2 hours in the late afternoon) and not continuous
• Lower prices (up to 30-40% cheaper)
• Less crowded sites, more authentic experience
• Lusher, greener nature

Little-known advantages of the low season: In the Llanos (eastern plains), this is the ideal time to observe the migration of exotic birds and the abundant wildlife that congregates near waterholes.

Emblematic sites such as Ciudad Perdida, Salento and Parque Tayrona are much less frequented.

Recommendation: If you’re flexible about your dates and don’t mind a few tropical showers, the low season offers excellent value for money and a more immersive experience of Colombia.

FAQ : Your practical questions about Colombia

Flights and transport

Which airlines fly to Colombia from Canada?

Three airlines offer flights from Canada: Air Canada and Avianca offer direct daily flights between Montreal and Bogotá (5h30 flight time). Air Transat operates seasonal direct flights between Montreal and Cartagena, generally from November to April, three times a week. From other Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary), you’ll need to make a stopover in either Montreal or the U.S. (Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston).

How much does it cost to fly from Montreal to Colombia?

Prices vary considerably depending on the season. In low season (April-June, September-November), expect to pay between $600 and $900 CAD round-trip. In high season (December-March, July-August), prices rise to between $900 and $1,400 CAD. To get the best rates, book 2 to 3 months in advance, and give preference to mid-week departures (Tuesday, Wednesday). The most expensive periods are Christmas-New Year and March school break.

When to book for the best prices?

The ideal window is between 8 and 12 weeks before departure. Avoid booking too early (6 months in advance) or at the last minute, except during flash sales. Sign up for price alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak to be notified of fare reductions. Air Canada and Avianca promotions generally appear in January-February for summer flights, and in August-September for the winter high season.

Are there direct flights from Toronto or Vancouver?

No, there are currently no direct flights from Toronto or Vancouver to Colombia. Travelers from these cities must make a stopover in Montreal (via Air Canada or Avianca) or pass through the United States (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Panama). Total travel time varies between 8 and 14 hours, depending on the connection.

Formalities and visa

Do Canadians need a visa for Colombia?

No, no visa is required for a tourist stay. On arrival, you’ll automatically receive an entry stamp granting you 90 days’ stay. All you need is a valid passport and a return or onward ticket proving that you will be leaving the country within 90 days.

Does my passport need to be valid for 6 months?

Colombia is flexible on this point: your passport must be valid only for the duration of your stay, with a minimum of one day’s validity after your planned exit date. However, we recommend 6 months’ validity to avoid any problems with your airline or when connecting to other countries that may have stricter requirements.

Can I extend my stay in Colombia?

Yes, you can obtain an extension of 90 days, bringing your total stay to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. The cost is approximately 106 USD (please check). Visit a Migración Colombia office (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali) before your first 90 days expire. Make an appointment online on their website to avoid long waits. Warning: once the deadline has passed, you will be in an irregular situation and risk a fine.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is not compulsory to enter Colombia, but it is strongly recommended. Check that your policy covers Colombia and includes medical assistance, repatriation, trip cancellation and baggage loss. Medical care in Colombia can be expensive for tourists (an emergency consultation can cost $200-500 CAD, hospitalization several thousand dollars). Your travel credit card may offer basic insurance, but check the conditions and coverage limits.

Is my Canadian driver’s license valid in Colombia?

Your Canadian driver’s license is accepted for tourist stays of less than 90 days, but an international driver’s license is recommended to facilitate dealings with the police and rental agencies. You can obtain one from CAA-Québec or CAA before you leave (approx. $25 CAD, valid for 1 year). Important: your credit card insurance does not usually cover car rental in Colombia, so be sure to take out the comprehensive insurance offered by the rental agency.

Budget and money

What’s your budget for 2 weeks in Colombia?

The budget depends very much on your travel style. For a backpacker trip (hostels, local meals, bus), count $800-1,200 CAD for 2 weeks (excluding flights), or $30-50 CAD per day. For a comfortable trip (3-star hotels, good restaurants, a few excursions), budget $2,000-3,000 CAD (excluding flights), or $80-120 CAD per day. For top-of-the-range travel (boutique hotels, gourmet restaurants, private guides), expect to pay $4,000 CAD or more (excluding flights), or $200+ CAD per day. These amounts do not include international airfare.

Is Colombia cheaper than Canada?

Yes, considerably. A street food meal costs $2-4 CAD, a meal at a local restaurant $8-15 CAD, a good restaurant $20-35 CAD. A night in a hostel costs $12-25 CAD, a comfortable hotel $50-100 CAD, a charming hotel $120-250 CAD. A coffee: $1-2 CAD, a local beer: $1.50-3 CAD, a cab in town: $3-8 CAD. Excursions and activities are also more affordable: admission to the Bogotá Gold Museum ($5 CAD), 4-day Ciudad Perdida trek ($300-400 CAD all-inclusive).

Should I bring Canadian or American dollars?

Ideally, neither. The best advice is to withdraw Colombian pesos directly from ATMs once you’re there. Exchange rates are generally better than with Canadian dollars, and ATMs are ubiquitous in the cities. If you’d like to have some cash on hand when you arrive, change $100-200 CAD into Colombian pesos before you leave (exchange office at Montreal airport, or in some branches of major banks by appointment). U.S. dollars are more easily exchanged than Canadian dollars in Colombia.

Can I use my Canadian bank card everywhere?

In the major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali, Santa Marta), Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and shops. However, in small towns, villages and rural areas (Salento, Mompox, Guatapé, Amazonia, national parks), cash is absolutely essential. ATMs are rare, and many establishments only accept cash. Always bring 100,000-200,000 pesos in cash ($30-65 CAD) for unforeseen circumstances.

What banking fees should I expect?

Most Canadian banks charge fees for international transactions: around 3-5% per payment or withdrawal, plus a fixed fee of CAD$2-5 per ATM withdrawal. Over a 2-week trip, these fees can total $100-150 CAD. Some banks, such as Tangerine or Simplii Financial, offer free withdrawals abroad. Always notify your bank before you leave to avoid having your card blocked for suspicious activity.

Do I have to give tips in Colombia?

Service (« propina ») is generally not included in the bill, except in certain high-end restaurants. The norm is to leave 10% in restaurants if you are satisfied with the service. For cab drivers, simply round up the amount (no tip required). For tour guides, expect 20,000-50,000 pesos per day ($6-16 CAD), depending on the quality of service. For hotel porters: 2,000-5,000 pesos per piece of luggage ($0.60-1.60 CAD).

Health and safety

What vaccinations are required or recommended?

No vaccinations are required to enter Colombia from Canada. However, the yellow fever vaccine is strongly recommended if you are visiting the Amazon, the Llanos, parts of the Pacific coast or rural areas below 2,300 meters altitude. Tayrona Park and Cartagena do not require this vaccine. Other recommended vaccines: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus. Consult a travel health clinic (travel clinic, CLSC, specialized pharmacies) at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure for personalized advice based on your itinerary.

Can I drink tap water in Colombia?

No, tap water is not potable for foreign visitors. In the major cities, it is technically treated, but can cause digestive problems for those not used to it. Buy bottled water (very cheap: CAD 0.50-1 per liter) or use a filtered flask. Avoid ice cubes in small street restaurants, but don’t worry about them in established restaurants and hotels that use filtered water. Wash fruit and vegetables with bottled water.

Are there any particular health risks?

The main risk is turista (traveller’s diarrhoea), easily preventable by observing basic hygiene rules. Altitude sickness can affect some people in Bogotá (2,640 meters): headaches, fatigue, nausea. Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol for the first few days, and climb gradually in altitude. Dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya are present in hot, humid areas (coasts, Amazonia). Use a strong mosquito repellent (DEET 30% minimum), and wear long clothing at the end of the day. Mosquitoes bite especially at dawn and dusk.

Is the Colombian health system reliable?

Yes, Colombia has an excellent medical infrastructure in the major cities. Bogotá, Medellín and Cali have modern, world-class hospitals staffed by doctors trained in the USA and Europe. Medical tourism is also highly developed. In rural areas, health centers are more basic. Pharmacies are ubiquitous and well-stocked (many medicines are available without prescription). Always keep your medical receipts for insurance purposes.

What to do in a medical emergency

Dial 123 (single emergency number) or go directly to the emergency rooms of major hospitals. In Bogotá: Fundación Santa Fe, Clínica del Country, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. In Medellín: Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Clínica Las Américas. Cartagena: Bocagrande Hospital. Contact your travel insurance company immediately, who will be able to direct you to approved facilities and handle direct billing. Keep the original prescription for your personal medication.

Planning your trip

How long does it take to visit Colombia?

For a first visit (Bogotá, coffee region, Cartagena), allow at least 10-12 days. For a complete tour including the Caribbean, the Andes and one or two additional regions, allow 2-3 weeks. For in-depth exploration with hiking (Ciudad Perdida, Cocora), off-the-beaten-track sites (Guaviare, Tatacoa, San Agustín) and time to relax, 3 to 4 weeks are ideal. One week is too short: you’ll spend more time in transport than discovering the country.

Which itinerary for 2 weeks?

A classic, well-balanced itinerary: Bogotá (2-3 days: historic center, gold museum, Monserrate, La Candelaria district), Villa de Leyva (1 day: charming colonial village), Salento coffee region (3 days: Cocora valley, coffee plantations, colorful villages), Medellín (2-3 days: urban transformation, cable cars, Comuna 13), Cartagena (3 days: old walled city, beaches), Tayrona Park (2 days: heavenly beaches, jungle hike). This itinerary gives you an excellent overview of Colombia’s diversity: culture, nature, history, beaches.

When is the best time to leave from Canada?

The dry season (December-March) coincides perfectly with the Canadian winter, so it’s the most popular time to escape the cold. Temperatures are pleasant everywhere, ideal for the Caribbean coast and the coffee region. July-August is also suitable, with a more variable climate but prices slightly lower than in December-January. The low season (April-June, September-November) offers the best value for money: fewer tourists, lower rates, lush natural surroundings. Rains are generally short (1-2 hours in the late afternoon) and don’t spoil the trip.

Can I travel to Colombia with children?

Absolutely! Colombia is an excellent family destination. Colombians love children and will give you an even warmer welcome. Choose suitable destinations: Cartagena (beaches, entertainment), Salento (nature, coffee farms), parks like Tayrona (under-10s may have difficulty with the access hike). Avoid difficult trekking (Ciudad Perdida: 4-day hike, forbidden to under-12s) and very remote areas. The infrastructure (restaurants, hotels) is well suited to families. Make sure you have good health insurance and a complete first-aid kit.

Is Colombia suitable for solo travellers?

Yes, Colombia is very popular with solo travellers, especially in youth hostels where the atmosphere is friendly and it’s easy to meet other travellers. Group tours to Ciudad Perdida, Caño Cristales or the Amazon are perfect for solos. Women traveling alone should take the usual precautions (avoid walking alone at night, refuse invitations from complete strangers, remain vigilant in bars), but most report very positive experiences. Big cities like Bogotá and Medellín have a lively social scene, with many organized events and meetings.

Do I need to book everything in advance?

For the high season (December-January, Holy Week in March-April), book your hotels and domestic flights at least 1 to 2 months in advance, especially for Cartagena, Salento and Tayrona Park, which quickly sell out. For popular trekking tours such as Ciudad Perdida, book several weeks in advance. In low season, you can be more flexible and book a few days in advance, or even improvise on the spot, but book your first nights anyway to avoid stress on arrival.

Practical questions

Is Spanish essential?

Spanish makes travel easier and enriches the experience, but you can get by without it. In tourist areas, you’ll always find someone who speaks basic English. Useful applications: Google Translate (download Spanish offline), Duolingo (learn the basics before you go), Maps.me or Google Maps (work offline). Colombians are patient and appreciate your efforts to speak their language, however awkwardly. A smile and gestures often compensate for linguistic shortcomings.

What is the time difference with Canada?

Colombia is at GMT-5, i.e. 1 hour ahead of Montreal in winter (when Montreal is at GMT-5 with standard time) and the same time as Montreal in summer (when Montreal is at GMT-4 with daylight saving time). Colombia does not observe a time change. For Vancouver, add 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer. The minimal time difference makes it easier to adapt: no significant jet lag.

Can I use my Canadian phone in Colombia?

You have three options. International roaming from your Canadian operator works, but is very expensive ($10-15 CAD per day, limited data). A local SIM card is the cheapest option: buy a Claro, Movistar or Tigo prepaid card at the airport or in any store (15,000-30,000 pesos / $5-10 CAD for 2-3 GB of data and a few call minutes, valid for 15-30 days). Your phone must be unlocked. WiFi is available free of charge in almost all hotels, restaurants and cafés in tourist areas.

Which electrical outlets are used in Colombia?

Colombia uses type A and B plugs (the same as in Canada and the USA, with two parallel flat plugs). No adapters are required. Voltage is 110V, 60Hz, identical to Canada. You can plug in all your Canadian appliances without any problem. Power cuts are rare in tourist areas.

Is the Internet accessible everywhere?

WiFi is ubiquitous and generally fast in cities and tourist areas: hotels, restaurants, cafés and inns all offer free access. In rural and remote areas (Amazonia, Llanos, isolated villages), the connection may be non-existent or very slow. Download your offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me), Spotify playlists and Netflix episodes before you leave for these areas. 4G covers major cities and main roads well.

What should I pack?

Colombia has a wide variety of climates. Pack light clothing (cotton, linen) for hot zones (coasts, Amazon: 25-35°C), mid-season clothes for Bogotá and high-altitude towns (15-20°C), and a light waterproof jacket for tropical showers. Essentials: high-protection sun cream (the equatorial sun burns quickly), hat or cap, strong mosquito repellent (DEET 30%), sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, sandals, bathing suit, small first-aid kit (antidiarrheal, painkiller, disinfectant, bandages). For Bogotá, bring a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings.

Can I drink alcohol in Colombia?

The legal drinking age is 18. Local beer (Aguila, Poker, Club Colombia) is excellent and very affordable ($1.50-3 CAD). Also tryaguardiente, the traditional aniseed-flavored spirit (be careful, it’s strong!). Colombian rum is renowned, notably the Ron Viejo de Caldas and Dictador brands. Chicha (a fermented corn-based drink) is rarer, but can be found in some of Bogotá’s traditional neighborhoods. Classic cocktails include aguardiente sour and canelazo (a hot aguardiente drink, ideal in Bogotá).