Your First 48 Hours in Colombia: A New Arrival’s Guide
Key Facts
—Cover the essentials. Your first 48 hours in Colombia come down to five things: clearing immigration, getting Colombian pesos, a local SIM, safe transport and keeping your documents safe.
—Use a bank ATM. Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM (Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA) rather than an airport casa de cambio, and decline the machine’s conversion offer.
—Get connected. Buy a prepaid SIM from Claro, Movistar, Tigo or WOM at the airport or a phone shop with just your passport.
—Move safely. Use the airport’s official taxi desk or apps like Uber, DiDi or Cabify; in Medellín the metro is excellent.
—Mind the altitude. Bogotá sits at about 2,640 m, so take the first day gently; Medellín and the coast are warm and low.
Your First 48 Hours in Colombia: The Priorities
Your first 48 hours in Colombia set the tone: clear immigration calmly, get pesos, connect your phone, reach your accommodation safely and protect your documents. The rest can wait a few days.
Photograph your passport and entry stamp and keep digital copies, so a lost original does not derail your banking or visa paperwork later.
From the Airport: Money and Transport
Withdraw Colombian pesos from a bank ATM inside the terminal rather than a currency kiosk, and decline the machine’s own conversion offer, which carries a poor rate. Daily ATM withdrawal caps are common, so take what you need.
For transport, use the airport’s official taxi desk or a ride-hailing app. Uber operates in a legal grey area but is widely used; Cabify and DiDi are popular alternatives, and Medellín’s metro is clean and cheap.
Getting Connected: SIM and Internet
A local SIM is the fastest way to feel settled. Claro has the widest coverage; Movistar, Tigo and WOM are alternatives. You can buy and top up a prepaid SIM at the airport or any phone shop with your passport.
Load a data package (a paquete) so you have maps and messaging from your first ride.
Staying Safe and Settling In
Colombians sum up street smarts as ‘no dar papaya’ — do not flash phones, cash or jewellery. Stick to registered transport at night and keep your guard up in crowds.
Bogotá’s tap water is generally safe to drink; on the coast and in smaller towns stick to bottled or filtered water, and ease into the altitude in the capital.
Your 48-Hour Checklist
Run through this before the two days are out.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Store and photograph documents | Backup if originals are lost |
| Get pesos from a bank ATM | Better rate, lower fees |
| Buy a SIM with data | Maps, apps, messaging |
| Install Uber / DiDi / Cabify | Safe, cashless transport |
| Save your address offline | Works if your phone dies |
Where to Base Yourself
For a soft landing, most newcomers pick a known barrio. In Bogotá that means Chapinero, Chicó or Usaquén; in Medellín, El Poblado and Laureles are the expat and nomad favourites, both walkable and full of cafés and coworking.
Book the first week or two in a furnished short-let or aparthotel before signing anything longer. It lets you test the neighbourhood, the commute and the noise before committing to a lease.
Keep small cash for what cards cannot cover — taxis, tips, the corner tienda — and download offline maps so you can navigate before your SIM is fully working.
What Comes Next
Once the basics are handled, the bigger tasks begin: your Cédula de Extranjería and RUT and your residency visa. Tackle those in your first weeks, not your first days.
More: Colombia news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Bogotá’s El Dorado airport to the city?
Use the airport’s official taxi desk or a ride-hailing app such as Uber, DiDi or Cabify. Avoid unmarked cars touting for fares.
Should I bring cash or use cards in Colombia?
Cards work in cities, but cash is essential for taxis, markets and small shops. Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM rather than exchanging at an airport kiosk.
Where can I buy a SIM card?
At the airport or any phone shop. Claro has the widest coverage; bring your passport and ask for a prepaid SIM with a data package.
Is the tap water safe in Colombia?
In Bogotá it is generally safe to drink. On the coast and in smaller towns most people drink bottled or filtered water.
Will the altitude in Bogotá affect me?
Bogotá sits at about 2,640 m, so some people feel tired or short of breath at first. Take it easy and hydrate for a day or two.
Is Uber legal in Colombia?
Uber operates in a legal grey area but is widely used. Cabify and DiDi are popular, fully operating alternatives, alongside official taxis.
Next in the series
- 02 — Your Cédula de Extranjería and RUT
- 03 — Residency in Colombia: Visas Explained
- 05 — Open a Bank Account in Colombia
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