Colombia’s vibrant cities, lush landscapes, and emerging tourism scene make it an exciting destination-but it pays to understand currency in Colombia before you go. Whether you’re paying for street arepas in Medellín, taking a taxi in Bogotá, or shopping in Cartagena, money in Colombia plays a big role in daily transactions-often in cash. This guide outlines what currency to bring, how to get Colombian Pesos (COP), best practices for using ATMs and exchanges, and safety tips to avoid fees or scams. With this knowledge, you’ll feel secure and prepared while enjoying all that Colombia has to offer.
How to pay in Colombia – cash or card?
Germany is a cash-card combination country for tourists and foreigners.
Further, if you’re heading to quiet areas in Germany, like staying at a farm in Bärental, taking a local bus around the beatiful Donau area, or eating at a small restaurant in the Alps, chances are high they won’t take cards. The waiter might even say, We don’t accept cards at all. So, if you want to explore the less busy parts of Germany, make sure to bring some cash. In some little villages, you might only be able to pay with a local debit card, so having cash is super important.
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels
- Some hostels
- Local tour operators
- Shopping at street markets
- Tips and gratuities
- Entry fees to local museums and historical sites
- Local buses
- Local taxis (most)
- Local tuk-tuks (mototaxis in small towns)
- Street food
- Small eateries / restaurants
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at small shops and corner stores
- Tailoring services
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up
- Laundry services (local shops)
- Nightlife / bars (in small towns or casual places)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Hostels (major cities)
- Large tour operators
- Shopping at malls
- Entry to large national attractions (some accept card)
- Airport transport (Bogotá airport taxis or app-based)
- Sit-down restaurants (urban)
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas
- Vehicle renting
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies (cities)
What’s the best currency to take to Colombia?
Colombia’s official currency is Colombian Pesos (COP or $) It has the same currency symbol as the US dollar i.e. $ but it’s a different currency. Colombia doesn’t accept any other currency for its day-to-day transactions, except some places that might accept US Dollars. So you’ll most likely need to use an ATM soon as you arrive.
So, Colombian Pesos is the best currency to take to Colombia.
Where to get the local currency in Colombia?
In Colombia, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe in Colombia
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in Colombia
When withdrawing money in Colombia, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus and Maestro cards. Others such as Amex, Diners, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Rupay are not usually accepted by many ATMs.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Colombia?
It’s advisable to bring a small amount of Colombian Pesos (COP) before your trip for immediate needs like taxis, small purchases, or tips. However, COP can be difficult to obtain abroad, and exchange rates outside Colombia are often unfavorable.
A better strategy is to withdraw COP from ATMs after arrival. ATMs are widely available in cities, airports, shopping malls, and tourist areas. Most accept Visa and Mastercard, but Cirrus and Plus support may vary. Some ATMs have withdrawal limits or charge additional fees, so confirm with your home bank in advance.
If you prefer to exchange cash, do so at banks or licensed currency exchange offices (called “casas de cambio”). These are easily found in city centers, shopping areas, and airports. While exchanging at the airport is convenient, city rates are generally better. Well-known providers include Cambios Vancouver and GloboCambio.
USD is the most widely accepted foreign currency for exchange in Colombia, with EUR and GBP also commonly exchanged. Make sure your bills are clean and undamaged, as torn or marked notes may be rejected.
Cards are accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and large restaurants, but cash is often needed for transport, street vendors, or small establishments-especially outside major cities. Carry a combination of cash and cards for flexibility.
Where to withdraw money in Colombia
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Colombia are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Bancoomeva, and
- Caja Social.
There are other bank ATMs such as Servibanca, Banco Occidente, Banco AV Villas, Banco Popular, Scotiabank, Banco de Bogota, Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA and Itau that also accept international debit and credit cards. However, they charge much higher ATM fees compared to the other two banks.
Other international banks also have their ATMs in Colombia, namely:
Note – In Colombia, Scotiabank Colpatria is a member of the Global ATM Alliance. So if your bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance you can get fee-free withdrawals here.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Colombia.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Colombia. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Colombia.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Where to exchange currency in Colombia
In Colombia, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
Currency exchange offices in Colombia are known as “Casas de Cambio”. These licensed exchange bureaus are the most convenient way to exchange cash and are widely available in cities and airports.
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Cambios Vancouver
Cambios Euroservicios
Cambios y Servicios (found in Bogotá and Medellín)
Aeropuerto El Dorado in Bogotá (multiple exchange kiosks in both domestic and international terminals)
Centro Internacional and Zona Rosa areas in Bogotá
Exchange rates are usually better in the city than at the airport or hotels.
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
Banco de Bogotá
Bancolombia
Davivienda
Banco de Occidente
Banks generally provide currency exchange only to account holders and may require ID. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
💡 Tip: USD is the easiest currency to exchange. Other currencies like EUR or GBP are accepted in major cities but may be harder to exchange in rural areas.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in Colombia safe?
In general, no. It is not safe to carry a large amount of cash when travelling in Colombia. Of course, some cities and towns are safer than others, but in general, you should carry only the amount of cash you need for the day or for few hours. Since you’ll often need to have some cash readily available when travelling to Colombia, here are some tips to keep your cash safe:
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Colombia are:
Carry only the cash you need.
Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
Do not flash your cash.
When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
Cross-wear your purses if possible.
Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Colombia
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
