Rent a car
If you rent a car in big cities, you must have nerves of steel. Traffic in these cities (especially Bogotá) is unnerving, with violently honking drivers sometimes passing each other by a millimeter. To avoid this, you can rent a
car rental
from the airport. In rural areas, such as the coffee triangle, it is a lot easier to drive.

Tips:

• If you are going to rent a car, weigh what type of car you are renting. If you go inland and drive on unpaved roads, it may be useful to rent a taller car.
• A Dutch driver’s license is valid in Colombia, but some rental companies require an international driver’s license, so bring it with you just to be sure.
• In general, you can safely drive on main roads during the day, except in high-risk areas. For more information, see the heading
  safety
  .

Pico y Placa
In Bogotá and several other major cities, efforts are being made to limit traffic congestion by not allowing certain cars to drive during rush hours. This goes according to a certain system, by license plate.

Private transportation
If you’d rather not drive yourself and public transportation doesn’t get to the destination you need to be at, then a private driver is a great option. You are dropped off at your hotel doorstep and many drivers are excellent guides, adding a personal touch to the trip. Even if you just want to withdraw money, get something to eat or run an errand, it is usually no problem at all. If you can share the cost with a travel partner, then private transportation is usually quite affordable.

Airlines such as Avianca, Latam, Easyfly, Viva air and Wingo operate a large number of domestic flights together. There can be a lot of price difference between different airlines. Low cost airlines, such as Viva Air and Wingo often offer cheap “bare” tickets, where additional services such as boarding pass printing, checked baggage and seat of your choice must be paid for separately. Since the corona crisis, some airlines also offer the opportunity to rebook the cheapest “basic tickets” 1x for free.

Because of its coastal location and the many rivers inland, locals make extensive use of boat transportation. As in Chocó (Pacific) and the Amazonas, where transportation from Leticia to the ecolodges is only possible by boat. In the Llanos, boat transportation is also essential when certain roads become impassable in the rainy season. Popular boat tips among travelers, include day trips to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena. Tourists who take a cruise ship to learn about Colombia dock in Cartagena. In Cartagena, it is also possible to catch a boat for a trip to the San Blas Islands in Panama.

The bus, the most common means of transportation in Colombia
There is an extensive network, connecting even the smallest villages. There are larger city buses and busetas (small buses) for short distances, medium-sized buses (colectivos) used for medium distances and more luxurious buses for long distances. There is also puerta a puerta transportation, where you can be picked up at your hotel and dropped off at a central point.

Long-distance bus transportation
Long-distance buses are comfortable, so you don’t have to arrive at your destination completely dead tired. Many buses have toilets on board as well as wifi. During long trips, stops are made at restaurants so that passengers and the driver can eat something and use the restroom.

Vendors on the bus
It is normal for vendors to come on the bus to sell their stuff. This is allowed by the bus companies, which thereby support local business owners. The “vendedor de fritos” sells candy, drinks and all kinds of homemade Colombian snacks. On longer routes, the buses also stop at stores where you can buy something to eat and drink, but you can also just bring your own food and drink.

Tips for traveling by bus

• Bring a cardigan or sweater, as the air conditioning is usually on “freezing” mode
• If you don’t like loud music, or Spanish-language movies, definitely don’t forget your earbuds (or earplugs if you want to sleep!).
• It is normal that the bus can be checked by police. This is mainly done as a routine check near toll roads. Police then enter the bus to check IDs.
• In general, you can safely drive on main roads during the day, except in high-risk areas. Rather catch a bus during the day than at night. For more information, see the Safety section .

Bicycle-friendly country
In the country of Tour de France winner Bernal, there are many cycling enthusiasts and especially on weekends, people head out to go cycling in nature. Therefore, cycling is one of the most popular sports in Colombia. Even at thousands of feet high in the mountains, you may encounter cyclists on the unpaved roads.

400km of bike paths
This makes Bogotá, the is most bicycle-friendly city in Colombia. You can borrow bikes for free, including at shopping centers. Check the facebook page of
BiciColombia
for more information. Also a bike tour with a tour company, is a fun way to see the highlights of the city.

Ciclovía Bogotá
Cycling is especially ideal on Sundays, during the Ciclovía, when some main roads are closed to traffic from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. This gives the many recreationists a chance to bike, walk or skate. Click here for a map of the routes

There is also a ciclovía in other cities of Colombia, such as Medellín.

Colombia has many beautiful cycling areas, including the coffee triangle, where you can cycle through hills and mountains, through small villages and past waterfalls. For an impression of cycling in the coffee region, watch this
youtube video
.

Advanced metro system
The modern subway system also includes a cable car and a number of bus and streetcar lines. A ride (standard fare) costs 2750COP (fares 2022)

Cívica map
With the rechargeable, personal Metro Cívica card, you can avoid the queues and take advantage of cheaper fares.

Check out here for more information about the metro in Medellín.

Moto cabs
Ideal means of transportation in the places where buses and other transportation cannot reach. Backpack with you? No problem, the driver slings your backpack on the steering wheel and drives you and your backpack to your hostal.

Mono cabs (tuktuks).
Commonly used in the smaller villages, such as Guatapé and Jardin, but also in Bahia Solano (Chocó) and Barichara, where it is an ideal means of transportation for short distances, including up the hill.

Despite efforts to improve accessibility in Colombia, exploring the country in a wheelchair remains a challenge. The sidewalk is often uneven, and car and motorcycle riders in big cities are generally not very patient in traffic, so crossing the road can be a challenge. The subway and bus lines in Medellín and the Transmilenio in Bogotá have wheelchair-accessible vehicles, but because of the crowds, traveling on public transportation -during rush hours- can be very hectic, especially with a wheelchair. Cabs are generally small, making private transportation by adapted bus the most comfortable option.

Modern bus system
TransMilenio’s buses, take passengers throughout the city, as well as to and from El Dorado Airport and tourist attractions.

12 lines and 148 stations
Buses run frequently and are inexpensive. A ride costs COP2450-COP2650, around €0.75. (2022 prices) There are dedicated TransMilenio lanes, allowing buses to bypass traffic. Generally, buses run between 5 a.m. and 0 a.m. Monday through Saturday and between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays, but this may vary by bus line. During peak hours (5:00am-9:00am and 4:00pm-7:00pm) the buses are very full. Traveling off-peak is cheaper and quieter. Traveling with luggage in the TransMilenio is not recommended at busy times.

To decongest the bus network (Transmilenio carries over 2 million passengers per day), there are plans to expand Bogotá’s bus network with a subway line.

Check out here for more information.

Cab at airport
The first encounter with Colombian cabs, you’ll probably have after arriving at the airport. From the various airports, cab transportation is usually well arranged. You can order a cab there at a “kiosk” or other central point, where you will hear the price right away. Also mention this price to the driver when you board, to avoid any ambiguity. By catching a cab at such a central point, you also know that you are getting into a safe cab.

Pre-booked private transfer
We personally like this option, especially if you arrive late at the airport. The driver is waiting for you in the arrival hall, there is no unnecessary delay, and you don’t have to settle anything. It is more expensive than an airport cab, but we think it is well worth it.
You can book a private airport transfer
here
.

Cab apps in major cities
Order a cab through your hotel or through a cab app and do not stop a cab on the street. Check out here for more information on ordering a cab through cab apps.

Willy Jeep
You can’t avoid it; the Willy Jeep, an old army jeep em the main -and most imaginative- means of transportation in the coffee triangle in particular.

Chiva
Chivas are often used as a means of transportation in the more remote areas. The buses are easy to recognize; colorful and painted in cheerful colors, especially yellow, blue and red. Each Chiva is a “work of art” and sight in itself. The Chiva is also called “bus de escalera,” in reference to the stairs on the side. You usually sit on a wooden bench in the bus. At night, some Chivas are transformed into “Partybus” and you can take a ride on them, with music on board, lots of ambiente and Aguardiente!