Colombia for Americans: visa, cost of living and safety

Getting in on a US passport

US passport holders enter visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. Before those 90 days run out you can ask Migración Colombia for one 90-day extension.

Staying longer

The digital nomad (V) visa runs up to two years and requires bank statements showing monthly income of at least three times Colombia's legal monthly minimum wage. Retirees on a pension can apply for the pensioner (M) visa.

What a month costs

Lean: about $1,410 a month. Comfortable: about $1,790 a month. One person, rent included.

Medellín, from Numbeo (Sept 2026): single-person costs of about $792 a month before rent, plus a 1-bed outside the centre (~$614) for the low figure or in the centre (~$1,000) for the comfortable one. Bogotá comes out cheaper on Numbeo (centre 1-bed ~$704).

Where to base yourself

Medellín

Largest foreigner community in the country and easy to set up in, but centre rents on Numbeo now run about $1,000 for a 1-bed, higher than Bogotá.

Bogotá

The capital has the main airport with the most nonstop US flights, and Numbeo puts a central 1-bed around $700; it is cool and rainy at 2,600 m altitude.

Cartagena

Caribbean coast city with beaches and direct US flights, but centre rents (~$990 for a 1-bed on Numbeo) are near Medellín's and it is hot year-round.

Heads up

The State Department warns that criminals use dating apps to lure foreigners to hotels, restaurants and bars, then drug and rob them, and some US citizens have been killed. Meet in public, never leave a drink unattended, and don't accept drinks from strangers.

Emergency numbers

Police: 123
Ambulance: 123
Tourist police: None nationally; call 123
Anti-trafficking: 01 8000 522020 – Línea Nacional Gratuita contra la Trata de Personas (Ministerio del Interior), free and 24/7
US Embassy: +57 601 508 8165 (after-hours emergencies: +57 601 275 2000, press 0)

Level 3 – Reconsider travel (reissued March 31, 2026). Do not travel to Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Valle del Cauca (except Cali) and Norte de Santander, or within 10 km of the Venezuela border.

Practical

Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
Plugs: A, B
Nonstop flight from the US: Yes
Typical door-to-door from LAX: about 10 hours

18+ only. If you see anyone who looks underage, or anyone being forced to work, call the anti-trafficking number above or the police. Rules change: check the embassy and immigration sites before you book.