🇨🇴
Essential apps for
Colombia
SpanishCOP6 apps
Bogotá and Medellín are increasingly safe for travelers. Cabify, Didi, and Uber all compete. Rappi is everywhere.
🔌
Power & Plug
TypeA / B
Voltage110V
Freq60Hz
Same plugs as the US.
💬
Basic phrases
Spanish
- HelloHolaOH-lah
- Thank youGraciasGRAH-syas
- Excuse me / SorryDisculpedees-KOOL-peh
- YesSíSEE
- NoNoNOH
+10 more below
🎎
Tipping
A 10% service charge (propina voluntaria) is often added to restaurant bills; the server will usually ask if you want to include it, and saying yes is normal. Tipping taxis is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →C
Cabify
Strong in Spain and Latin America. Often more reliable in mid-size cities.
Reliable in Bogotá and Medellín.
D
Didi
China's dominant rideshare. Has an English interface for travelers.
Often cheapest option.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →📱Messaging
See all →Phrases
All Spanish phrases
Hello
Hola
OH-lah
Thank you
Gracias
GRAH-syas
Excuse me / Sorry
Disculpe
dees-KOOL-peh
Yes
Sí
SEE
No
No
NOH
Please
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Goodbye
Adiós
ah-DYOHS
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo
The check, please
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
I don't understand
No entiendo
noh en-TYEN-doh
Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
AH-blah een-GLESS
Help!
¡Ayuda!
ah-YOO-dah
Delicious
Delicioso
deh-lee-SYOH-soh
Cheers
Salud
sah-LOOD
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Greet people warmly with 'buenos días/tardes' and a handshake; women often greet with a single cheek kiss.
- Colombians value politeness and formality, so use 'usted' and titles like 'señor' or 'doctor' with people you don't know well.
- Dress neatly and presentably, as appearance and grooming are taken seriously, especially in cities like Medellín and Bogotá.
- Accept offers of coffee (tinto) when visiting, as sharing coffee is a key social gesture.
- Be punctual for business but expect social gatherings to start later than the stated time.
- Use the phrase 'a la orden' which locals say to offer help or thanks in shops and on the street.
✕Don't
- Do not make jokes or casual references to drugs, cartels, or Pablo Escobar, which many Colombians find offensive.
- Avoid flashing expensive phones, jewelry, or cash in public ('no dar papaya', meaning don't give opportunity to thieves).
- Don't photograph people, police, or military without permission.
- Avoid discussing the armed conflict or politics dismissively with people you've just met.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Be wary of 'scopolamine' (devil's breath) drugging, where strangers spike drinks or hand over laced items to rob victims, especially around nightlife.
- Express kidnapping ('paseo millonario') can occur in unofficial taxis, so use ride apps or hotel-arranged cars rather than hailing on the street.
- Some bars and clubs pad the bill or charge for drinks you didn't order, so check tabs carefully.
- Fake police may ask to inspect your money or passport; ask for ID and offer to go to a station rather than hand over cash.
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