Lounging on stunning Caribbean beaches, taking on mountainous hikes, exploring the muddy Cocora Valley, chasing waterfalls, and exploring the nightlife in the fashionable “city of eternal spring” in Medellin may be just a few bucket list activities on your mind as you put together your Colombia packing list!
The sheer variety of things to do and climates to experience means that deciding what to pack for Colombia can be a bit tricky.
For example, in Cartagena, it’s all about shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits.
In Medellin, you’ll want a light jacket to break out at night.
Meanwhile, in the mud of the Cocora Valley, hiking boots will make your life much easier.
Planning a trip to charming Colombia?
Here’s exactly what we suggest adding to your bag when making your Colombia packing list, based on our own month-long trip to Colombia (and to a lesser extent, on our many, many months of backpacking Latin America in general).
This packing list for Colombia is designed for a trip lasting 2-4 weeks that covers multiple climates in Colombia, and can easily be adapted to a larger packing list for South America if you’re continuing through the continent.
It also reflects a couple of our personal biases. For example, we don’t bother with carry-on only travel, so if you do, you’ll want to whittle this Colombia packing list down a bit!
Table of Contents
Your Colombia Packing List Essentials
Passport — Obvious, and yet vitally important.
Travel Insurance — We never suggest traveling without insurance. Anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.
Traveling to Colombia is generally quite safe, but also likely involves stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out new adventures in a foreign land… where you may or may not speak the language.
We got a lot of peace of mind from having our policy active during our trip!
Visa (If Needed) — Travelers from the USA, UK, Australia, EU, and beyond can currently enter Colombia for tourism for up to 90 days without a visa.
However, like with all travel, it is best to double-check official resources for any changes before booking your ticket!
Money — The easiest way to get your hands on Colombian pesos is to withdraw them from an ATM in the country (preferably from a bank account that doesn’t charge foreign transaction or ATM fees).
We travel with 2 separate debit cards and 2 separate credit cards, and generally recommend others do the same.
You may also want to consider carrying some USD with you in case of a card failure, as it can be easily converted to Colombian pesos in-country.
What to Pack For Colombia In (Our Bags)
Colombia is the perfect country for backpacking. Backpacks are easy to carry around, easy to throw beneath buses, and so many other travelers carry them that you certainly won’t stand out.
During our trip to Colombia, Jeremy carried the Gregory Zulu 65, and I carried the Osprey Women’s Ariel AG 55.
Both backpacks served us well for years of full-time travel, including our trip to Colombia. (We visited Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park, Minca, Medellin, Guatape, and Salento.)
After visiting Colombia, Jeremy swapped his bag for the popular Osprey Farpoint 55, which is even more convenient (being able to unzip the whole bag, as opposed to just loading from the top and bottom, is such a great feature).
If you’re generally a light packer, you can probably comfortably go down 10 liters from the sizes we purchased, but we personally like having the flexibility of the extra space.
If you’d rather not carry a backpack, suitcases work perfectly fine as well, but we do recommend picking one that doesn’t stick out in any way (nothing fancy, in other words) and is extremely durable.
Bags aren’t treated particularly gently in Colombia, especially during bus travel.
You’ll also want to bring a day bag with you!
We use and love (a slightly older version of) this anti-theft backpack from Pacsafe.
10 Extremely Useful Things to Bring to Colombia
Reusable Water Bottle & Water Purifier — You’re definitely going to want to bring a reusable water bottle (this is my current go-to) and a purifier system with you to Colombia!
The tap water is safe to drink in some areas of Colombia (like Medellin), but not others (like the Caribbean coast). Always double-check when you get to a new area!
We used our Steripen, which kept us safe for years, but LifeStraws and similar are all the rage now, and we might opt for one of those these days.
We’ve used our Steripen in more than a dozen countries over the years, including throughout Colombia, and have never gotten sick from the water.
Pacsafe
Our Pacsafe allows us to store our most valuable belongings (passports, laptops, etc.) in our room without fear of theft.
Simply fill the safe, attach it to the sturdiest thing in the room (usually a pipe), and head out for the day with peace of mind.
While it won’t stop the most determined thief, that’s not really the point.
Deterring crimes of opportunity is by far the easiest way to protect yourself from property crime while traveling (and that goes for everywhere, not just Colombia).
Travel Adapters for Colombia — Colombia uses plugs and voltage that are compatible with US devices. If you’re coming from somewhere that uses a different system, you’ll want to pick up some adapters before you arrive!
Pocket-Sized Pack(s) of Tissues — Toilet paper is far from a guarantee in public toilets, and often comes with a small fee if it is available. Just saying.
Dry Bag
If so, you’ll want to add a dry bag to your Colombia packing list. A dry bag will allow you to safely bring your electronics and passports along without fear of damage, and will even allow you to swim to shore from a boat with your phone and/or camera!
Sea Bands
Colombia’s winding mountain roads that are near-synonymous with bus travel in the country are no joke.
Sunscreen
Avoid both potential extra expenses and the hassle of having to track it down on the road by adding it to your packing list for Colombia.
Bug Spray
Portable Charger — Don’t worry about your phone dying on a long bus ride!
Bring a portable charger along to ensure you always have more than one charge available.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Cards — The US recommends Yellow Fever vaccinations for entry into Colombia. Colombia itself requires the vaccine only to enter certain regions.
Theoretically, you need to present the card to enter Tayrona National Park, but our understanding is that this is very rarely enforced (we weren’t checked).
Regardless, the shot is good for life (per the World Health Organization) and will absolutely be necessary if you’re headed further into South America, so it’s a good idea to have it taken care of.
Other Useful Travel Gear for Visiting Colombia
Phone and/or Camera — We have been using our Sony a7R III for years now and adore it, but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works. Honestly, these days, your phone is probably plenty: we pull our “big camera” less and less with each passing year.
Just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories!
Phone Tripod and/or Camera Tripod — If you’re traveling with a group and want to ensure that you get pictures of everyone together, a tripod will allow you to snap non-selfie photos easily.
True, it’s a bit of a pain to carry and not advised in busy areas, but the memories are priceless, and the photos you end up with are generally so much better than the ones you get by asking a stranger to snap a photo for you.
Not traveling with a camera? This inexpensive phone tripod gets packed on our trips and does a great job.
Tote Bag — Incredibly light and easy to pack, a tote bag can serve as a grocery bag, beach bag, laundry bag, or just about anything else.
They’re incredibly handy, and we highly recommend adding one to your packing list for Colombia.
Waterproof Phone Case — Want to be able to take photos when actually swimming at the beach?
Bring a waterproof phone case along with you! We own these. They’re inexpensive, easy to pack, and make taking photos at the beach far simpler.
Swim Goggles — Swim goggles are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and make swimming in crystal-clear water so much more fun!
We’ve been carrying ours ever since we started backpacking and consider them a must-have in beach destinations.
Combination Lock — If you’re planning on staying in a hostel dorm during your trip, you’ll want to bring an old-fashioned combination lock for storing your belongings when you go out.
Purell Hand Sanitizer — We have never been sorry to have hand sanitizer with us on the road… especially in places where street food and bus travel are common.
Over-the-Counter Medicine — In addition to the motion sickness medication mentioned above, we personally prefer to travel with Pepto Bismol and some sort of pain relief on hand.
For Colombia, you might also want to consider bringing some Imodium with you as well.
Umbrella
Rain Poncho — Odds are that you will need to break this out in or near the Cocora Valley!
What to Wear in Colombia for Women
3-5 Lightweight Dresses — I personally love to wear dresses and tend to wear them most of the time, however, if you’re traveling as a solo female traveler, be aware that some women do report increased harassment on the street when they are wearing short (above the knee) dresses in Latin America.
That didn’t stop most of the solo female travelers I know from wearing them, but it is something to be aware of.
Dresses like these are common and what I tend to wear, and long, flowy midi and maxi dresses like this one are a great option as well.
I also always like to have one very casual dress with me that doubles as my cover-up for walking to and from the beach.
3-5 Skirts & Shorts — I recommend making at least one of these a pair of fast-drying workout shorts that can be used for hiking or a beach coverup.
1 Pair Harem Pants — Lightweight and loose-fitting, harem pants (aka elephant pants in Southeast Asia) are practically a backpacker uniform.
That is because they are incredibly comfortable while also being cool, casual, and reasonably modest for places where modesty is the more comfortable option.
They’re also my absolute favorite outfit for days that involve bus travel.
Pants like these are perfect, but unless you truly like buying everything ahead of time, you might want to consider waiting and purchasing a pair (or three) of these during your trip to Colombia instead.
1 Pair Jeans and/or Leggings — These probably won’t be the most-worn item of your travels, but when you need them, you’ll be glad to have them!
Jeans are a popular option for cooler cities like Medellin and Bogota, and are also great to have in the coffee triangle or anywhere that you’d like to go horseback riding.
5-7 Tank Tops + Short-Sleeved Shirts — Aim for comfort, and ideally bring shirts that can pair with at least 2 pairs of your shorts and/or 2 skirts.
1 Long-Sleeved Shirt — For cool nights and cold buses.
1 Light Jacket — Once you leave the Caribbean coast, much of Colombia’s most popular tourist destinations are surprisingly cool!
Be sure to come prepared.
1 Fleece Pullover — I am obsessed with my pullover (a discontinued option very similar to this one) and have had it for more than 10 years.
It has stood up to countless day hikes, endless bus rides, and travels across nearly 40 countries.
2 Bathing Suits — Once you leave the Caribbean coast, you won’t have much of a reason to swim. Adjust the number of bathing suits on your packing list for Colombia depending on how much time you plan to spend on the beach!
1 Pair Sunglasses — Opt for inexpensive ones if you can: the odds of them getting lost or broken on your trip are high.
10+ Pairs of Underwear — It’s fairly easy to find laundry services in Colombia, but if you’re moving around every few days, you’ll need to plan ahead to make sure you have time to get it done.
Bring at least one pair of underwear per day that you hope to avoid having laundry done!
2-3 Bras — Be sure to include at least one sports bra.
Flip Flops — It’s better if these are fairly inexpensive, but you’ll want something to bring to the beach (and into the shower if you stay in a hostel).
Comfortable Walking Shoes — These should be casual, durable, cool, and comfortable, able to withstand city visits, and also light hiking.
I lived in my Keen Whisper Sandals during our time backpacking Colombia (and many other places in Latin America) and absolutely loved them.
Hiking Boots (Optional) — If you’re hoping to take part in the Lost City Trek or hike the Cocora Valley, you’ll definitely want to have hiking boots with you!
We weren’t planning on completing the trek, so I skipped bringing my hiking boots this time. I’m a big fan of my pair in general, though!
Socks — How many you need depends on whether or not you will wear socks only while hiking or all the time.
However many you think you need, go ahead and add 50% more to compensate for dirty feet and lost socks!
1 Hat — Baseball cap, sun hat… bring whatever kind of hat you’re comfortable in, just be sure that it’s comfortable to wear both on the beach and while hiking!
1 Pair Sunglasses — Avoid expensive ones if you can, as the odds of them surviving your trip are fairly low.
Makeup — It’s easy to get out of the habit of wearing makeup while traipsing through Colombia (I barely wore mine), but it’s always nice to have on hand for days that you want to take photos or get a bit dressed up.
I recommend bringing whatever you need to put together a basic, everyday look and no more.
Makeup can get heavy quickly, and you might be surprised at how little you use it!
What to Wear in Colombia for Men
6-8 Short-Sleeved Shirts — Aim for shirts that are comfortable to wear daily, that you like how they look in photos (they’ll more or less be your uniform in Colombia), and that aren’t too pricey.
Depending on how long you visit, there’s a good chance that they’ll be worn out by the end of your trip!
1 Long Sleeved Shirt — This can either be casual (for hiking trips) or a slightly more formal button-down (useful for visiting clubs in cities like Medellin) depending on your travel style.
1 Light Jacket — This will be especially useful in the coffee triangle and in cooler cities like Medellin and Bogota, and should definitely be counted among the travel essentials for men in Colombia.
1 Fleece Pullover — Jeremy has had this one for years and loves it.
2 Pairs of Pants — We recommend bringing one pair of jeans, and one pair of comfortable slacks for wearing in cities.
2-3 Pairs of Shorts — Make one of these a pair of fast-drying workout shorts.
1-2 Bathing Suits — One bathing suit is probably plenty if you’re traveling to several destinations in Colombia, but if you’re concentrating your trip along the Caribbean coast, you might want to have a second suit on hand.
Flip Flops — For the beach and communal showers if you stay in a hostel.
Comfortable Walking Shoes — You’ll want to make sure these are comfortable enough for daily wear both daily wear and light hiking.
There is a similar men’s version of the sandals that have held up so well for me, and I highly recommend them.
Hiking Boots (Optional) — If you’re hoping to take part in the Lost City Trek or hike the Cocora Valley, you’ll definitely want to have hiking boots with you!
10+ Pairs of Underwear — At least one pair of underwear per the number of days you hope to avoid doing laundry!
Socks — The number of socks you need will vary depending on if you plan to wear them daily or just when hiking, but be sure to account for exceptionally dirty feet and lost socks when making your packing list for Colombia!
1 Pair Sunglasses — The cheaper the better, as these are likely to get lost or broken during your trip to Colombia.
1 Hat — A baseball cap is perfect, but opt for whatever is comfortable enough that you’ll actually wear it.
Toiletries to Bring to Colombia
For the most part, you’ll want to go ahead and add the same toiletries you use at home to your Colombia packing list.
If you’re picky about brands, you’ll want to bring enough of your toiletries to last the length of your trip, and if you’re not, basics like shampoo, deodorant, etc, are fairly simple to pick up on the road.
You’ll be able to find most familiar drugstore brands in Colombian cities like Medellin, but there’s no guarantee of finding specific products.
One item we do highly recommend bringing? Solid shampoo.
We love the solid shampoos by LUSH, and they save so much space and weight in our bags.
Also, don’t forget to fill up on a supply of prescription items like contacts and medications before you go that will last the length of your trip to Colombia!
This is a great list. One question though… does this list apply to all seasons? I’m going in May and it’s supposed to thunderstorm every day and never get above 65 degrees F. Would you still recommend t-shirts and shorts or should I pack jeans and sweatshirts?
Hi SPN,
That definitely depends on where you’re going, but this list is based on our Colombia itinerary outlined here: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-weeks-in-colombia-itinerary/
All of the destinations outlined here are definitely well above 65 degrees, though you may want warmer clothes in Salento. At the beach, though, you’d be sweltering in anything but shorts!
At the end of the day, though, weather should definitely dictate your packing list. 🙂
Any tricks with the camera to not get robbed? I have the Nikon D3400 and I’m worried about carrying it around. Should I carry it in a regular bag so no one knows there’s a camera in there?
Hi Karen,
You definitely can if that makes you feel more comfortable! It’s ultimately a matter of personal preference and risk tolerance. You’ll see plenty of visitors carrying their cameras in the open, which we always did in Colombia when walking around and shooting photos. When riding in taxis or tuktuks, sitting at restaurants, etc. we keep it in a standard backpack (not a camera bag).
We don’t bring an obvious camera bag with us anywhere in the world, though, which helps with security a bit but is also just much more comfortable–all our supplies for the day, camera included, live in our Pacsafe backpack when we’re not using them.
Such a great detailed list! Thanks for this. Planning to visit Colombia next year. It’s so important to keep in mind there are microclimates where as you said you may need a sweater in one place, shorts in another, and hiking boots somewhere else!
Good luck with your planning!! Colombia definitely requires packing for lots of weather, but it’s an amazing destination!
You have some great tips for the camera gear, we are looking for camera options and Nikon 3400 sounds like a good option. In electronics, we definitely cannot go without Apple MacBook and Power Banks. Medicines and document copies are definitely important too. Thanks for this comprehensive packing list!
Good luck with your camera search! It’s definitely not an easy one. Our D3300 has been amazing to us.
I highly appreciate this packing list – I think I have a few items in there to add to my own. Although I am not going to Colombia soon, I will be headed for Singapore in the coming week. I could refer to this packing list especially the medicine ones. Being sick on travel is not fun but it is always important to have these medicines ready.
Singapore sounds like fun! Definitely a very different place than Colombia, but a lot of our medicines/travel gear in general does cross over regardless of destination.
Such a comprehensive packing list! I’ve never been to Colombia but now I know what to bring when I visit that country. I think the Power Bank is really necessary for the trip and having bathing suit and sunglasses are definitely necessary!
The Power Bank definitely comes in handy on those long bus rides!
What a great, comprehensive list! I always hate packing and am very happy to just follow someone else’s list! I’m a huge fan of Lush but haven’t used their solid shampoo yet. It seems like a better idea than liquids which can easily spill.
They can definitely spill–and they’re also heavy! Solid is a big plus–even more so for people who want to travel carry-on only.
This is such a complete list! It is good to know that boots are necessary for the muddy terrains. Also, I have heard so much about the solid shampoo from Lush, but haven’t actually used it. Is it good? Does it leave your hair soft?
We like it! I haven’t noticed any quality difference in my hair between that and typical liquid shampoos, but I do still use a liquid conditioner. 🙂
That’s an interesting list. You have covered every essential item for the varying weather condition. I’ll make sure I carry a compass to avoid getting lost 😉 Cheers!!
Only if you’re hiking! We never use it in cities, but love having it in the woods.
That’s a very thorough packing list! You guys carry quite a bit more gear than we did but it does look like you’re prepared for everything 🙂 Packing meds to go with you is always a really nice tip.
Haha, yes, no one will ever mistake us for light packers.
I’ll take your advice and definitely take a rain poncho! You’ve listed some great items here, especially the portable medicines. I always need dramamine and never travel without. Hope to make it to Colombia one day.
Agreed–I sure wish I wasn’t afflicted with motion sickness all the time, but alas!