Currency & Payment

Colombia uses the Colombian peso (COP), written with the $ sign. Amounts are large, often in the thousands or tens of thousands, so a coffee can cost several thousand pesos. Because $ is also used for pesos, check whether a price is in pesos or US dollars, especially in tourist areas.

You can change money at exchange houses (casas de cambio), banks and at the airport. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange, and rates in the city are usually better than at the airport. Bring clean, undamaged bills and compare a couple of offices, as rates and fees vary.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities at hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, and contactless is common in bigger stores. American Express is less accepted. In small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas, cash is still king, so carry pesos for everyday small purchases.

Local phone-based apps such as Nequi and Daviplata are extremely popular for sending money and paying, and QR payments are spreading fast. However, they usually need a Colombian phone number, ID and bank link, so most visitors cannot use them. For tourists, contactless cards plus Apple Pay or Google Pay are the practical choice, backed up by cash.

In restaurants a voluntary service charge (propina voluntaria) of about 10% is often added to the bill, and staff will usually ask whether you want to include it. You are free to accept or decline. Tipping elsewhere, such as taxis, is not expected, though rounding up or a small tip for good service is welcome.

Colombia is generally affordable for many international visitors, though Bogota, Cartagena and other tourist hubs cost more. You can eat well and cheaply with the fixed-price set lunch (menu del dia), and local buses and shared transport keep costs down. Imported goods and upscale restaurants are where prices climb.

Foreign tourists may be able to reclaim the 19% VAT (IVA) on certain eligible goods bought in Colombia, subject to conditions such as minimum spend and qualifying product categories. Keep your original receipts and the goods, then complete the refund process at the airport when you leave. Check current rules with customs (DIAN) as details can change.