Complete Guide to Colombia: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts
Colombia is the biggest comeback story in travel history. Once off-limits, it’s now the happiest country on Earth (twice), has the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and offers everything from Caribbean beaches and snow-capped Andes to Amazon jungle — all in one passport stamp. In 2025 it has the cheapest real-estate residency program in the Americas (USD 35K) and the world’s most popular digital nomad visa.
The Only Risk Is Wanting to Stay Forever
Medellín has perfect 24 °C weather year-round, Cartagena’s walled city is pure Caribbean romance, Bogotá is a food and art capital at 2,600 m, and the coffee region looks like Windows XP wallpaper in real life. Colombians smile like they know a secret — and the secret is that life is good here.
Visa Policy 2025
Visa-free 90–180 days for 100+ countries (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, Japan, most of Latin America). Easy online extensions.
Residency & Investment Options
- USD 35,000 real estate purchase → Migrant Visa (5 years) → permanent residency
- USD 100K business investment → same path
- Digital Nomad Visa (up to 2 years) — just prove USD 3,000/month income
- Citizenship possible after 5 years residency (one of the fastest in the region)
Colombia You Cannot Miss
- Cartagena & Rosario Islands — walled city + crystal Caribbean
- Medellín & Guatapé — eternal spring, Comuna 13 street art, colorful rock
- Coffee Triangle (Salento, Filandia) — wax palms, jeep tours, best coffee
- Tayrona National Park — jungle meets Caribbean beaches
- Amazon (Leticia) — pink dolphins, indigenous communities
- Bogotá — Gold Museum, Monserrate, world-class restaurants
- San Andrés & Providencia — “Sea of Seven Colors”
- Ciudad Perdida trek — 4-day jungle hike to lost city older than Machu Picchu
Safety in 2025
Safer than ever. Tourist areas (Cartagena, Medellín, coffee region, Caribbean coast) have crime rates comparable to many European cities. Basic precautions apply — no different from Barcelona or Rome.
How to Buy SIM Card
Claro (best coverage), Movistar, or Tigo at any airport or mall — COP 5,000 starter + COP 50,000 for 50 GB. Claro works even in remote Amazon.
Current President
Gustavo Petro — Colombia’s first left-wing president, in office since August 2022.
Getting Here
Major hubs: Bogotá (BOG), Medellín (MDE), Cartagena (CTG), Cali (CLO). Direct flights from USA, Canada, Europe, Panama, Lima. New low-cost routes exploding.
Final Thought
Colombia is the country that hugs you when you arrive and cries when you leave. The coffee is perfect, the people are warmer than the weather, and the transformation from 20 years ago is nothing short of a miracle. Come for a week, stay for a lifetime — millions already have.