Due in part to their altitude, Bogota and Medellin enjoy a perpetual spring-like climate. Daily temperatures in these cities usually range from the mid-40’s at night to the high 60’s in the afternoon.

Cartagena’s warm climate changes little throughout the year. Temperatures reach into the 90s, with 90% humidity. Welcome breezes cool the area from November to February.

Hurricanes are rare, and even in the wettest season (September – November) monthly rainfall almost never exceeds five inches.

The climate in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle is consistently spring-like, with highs rarely exceeding 72ºF and overnight lows hovering near 50ºF. Sunny skies are the rule, although average monthly precipitation for April, May, October, and November can exceed six inches.

Spanish is the official and predominant language of Colombia. In addition, English has official status in the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands.

English as a second language is spoken in locations frequented by foreign visitors, and it’s estimated that 4% of the Colombian population speaks it fluently.

Additionally, an estimated 70 languages are spoken by Colombia’s indigenous populations.

What to pack for your trip to Colombia depends on which destinations you’ll visit, how long you’ll be away, what you’ll be doing, and the time of year.

Still, packing for Colombia is not difficult. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Sun protection (30+ sunblock, sunhat, and sunglasses)
• Camera, batteries / chargers, and data cards
• Prescription medications
• Swimwear
• Daypack or small backpack
• Light, informal clothing for dining and hotel
• Comfortable walking / hiking shoes (preferably waterproof)
• Electrical adapters and converters. Colombian electricity is officially 110V and 60Hz frequency. Power plug sockets are type A or B.

Generally speaking, Colombia is safe for foreign visitors. Travel anywhere, and you’ll want to exercise increased caution. All travel carries inherent risks.

Colombia’s civil war was settled in 2016. With that peace, the country has opened to foreign travelers as never before.

The larger cities do have neighborhoods with high crime rates, but those are not the places you are likely to visit as a foreign traveler. Still, petty crime is a reality. It pays to have a professional guide and heed his advice.

As with many countries with a history of conflict, border regions and remote areas can carry a higher risk.