Rent a car
If you rent a car in the big cities, you must have nerves of steel. Traffic in these cities (especially Bogotá) is nerve-wracking, with violently honking drivers who sometimes pass 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, driving is a lot easier.

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 higher 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 a number of other major cities, efforts are being made to limit traffic congestion by not allowing certain cars to drive during rush hours. This is done according to a certain system, by license plate.

Private transportation
If you’d rather not drive yourself and public transportation doesn’t get you to where you need to be, a private driver is a great option. You will be dropped off in front of your hotel and many drivers are excellent guides, adding a personal touch to the trip. Even if you need to get some money from an ATM, get something to eat or run an errand, that’s usually no problem at all. If you can share the cost with a travel partner, private transportation is usually quite affordable. Price indication: Prices are around 150,000 COP (37.50€) for a 1.5h ride and around 250,000 COP (62.50€) for a 2.5h ride.

Airlines such as Avianca, Latam, Easyfly and Wingo together operate a large number of domestic flights. There can be many price differences between different airlines. Low cost airlines, such as 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 option to rebook the cheapest “basic” tickets once for free.

Because of its coastal location and the many rivers inland, locals use boat transportation a lot. Such as in Chocó (Pacific) and the Amazonas, where transportation from Leticia to the ecolodges is only possible by boat. In the Llanos, boat transport is also essential, when in the rainy season certain roads become impassable. Popular boat tips among travelers, include day trips to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena. Tourists exploring Colombia by cruise ship dock in Santa Marta or 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. Buses in Colombia can be booked online at e.g. RedBus.

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 journeys, stops are made at restaurants so 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 support local entrepreneurs by doing so. 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 may be checked by police. This is mainly done as a routine check near toll roads. Police then enter the bus to check identity documents.
• In general, you can safely drive on main roads during the day, except in high-risk areas. Better catch a bus during the day than at night. For more information, see the Safety section .

Cycling-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 meters high in the mountains, you can encounter cyclists on the unpaved roads.

400km of bike paths
This makes Bogotá, the is Colombia’s most bicycle-friendly city. You can borrow bikes for free, including at shopping malls. 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
Sunday especially is ideal for cycling, during the Ciclovía, when a number of main roads are closed to traffic from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. This gives the many recreational cyclists the chance to be able 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 triangle, watch this youtube video.

Advanced metro system
The modern metro system also includes a cable car and a number of bus and streetcar lines. A ride (standard fare) costs COP 3650/€0.90 (fare 2024)

Cívica card
With the rechargeable, personal Metro Cívica card, you can avoid the queues and take advantage of cheaper fares. The fare for a ride with Cívica card is COP 3210/€0.80. (fare 2024).

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 drivers in major 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 with an 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 COP2950, around €0.75. (2024 prices) There are dedicated TransMilenio lanes, allowing the 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 can vary by bus line. During peak hours (5:00am-9:00am and 4:00pm-7:00pm), buses are very full. Traveling outside peak hours is cheaper and quieter. Traveling with luggage on 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 probably have after arriving at the airport. From the various airports, cab transportation is usually well organized. You can order a cab at a “kiosk” or other central point, where you will immediately hear what the price is. Also mention this price to the driver when you get in, 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 pay anything. It is more expensive than an airport cab, but we think it is definitely worth it.
You can book a private airport transfer like this 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 here for more information on ordering a cab through cab apps.

Willy Jeep
You cannot avoid it; the Willy Jeep, an old army jeep and the most important -and most imaginative- means of transportation in the coffee region 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 inside the bus. At night, some Chivas are turned into “Party buses” and you can take a ride on them, with music on board, lots of ambiente and Aguardiente!