Need cash when I land, best place in Colombia? Airport or places in the city?
At Cartagena Airport, the exchange rate was almost 10% below mid-market. Used it for a small 100k COP change to grab a taxi. Next day, found a casa de cambio near Torre del Reloj that gave a much better rate with no ID, no fuss. You’ll always get a better deal in the city, unless you’re in a hurry or need cash right in thatm moment.
I brought some USD and compared rates at Gran Estación Mall (bad), El Dorado airport (worse), and downtown Bogotá (much better). Around Carrera 7 & Calle 19, I found casas de cambio offering 3850 COP / 3900 cop per USD vs 3,700 at the airport. Pro tip: always check a few shops, they’re usually all within 50 meters of each other.
Exchanged some pounds in Medellín and found the best rates at cambios near Parque Berrío metro station. No ID required, no commission, and better rates than the airport or malls. Avoid the big-name chains in malls they tend to have worse rates. I keep $50-100 exchanged at the airport, then do the rest in the city. Oviedo Mall also had a good one but required ID.
I landed at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá and changed $100 at the arrival hall. Rate was way below market, plus they added a 3% commission. It was fine to get through the first night, but I wish I’d waited. Found much better rates at casas de cambio in downtown Bogotá, especially around Carrera 7.