World Cup 2026UpdatesBlogAbout Contact Us

Greg Bentz

Founder · 11 years living in Colombia

Photo of Greg Bentz

I have lived in Colombia for 11 years. Everything on this site comes from doing it myself, not from a two-week trip or a hotel lobby in Cartagena: the visa process, opening bank accounts, renting apartments (and getting burned by scams), dealing with Migración Colombia, sorting out healthcare, and learning which neighborhoods actually make sense for foreigners.

I started Colombia Mágico because when I arrived, the good information was scattered across Facebook groups, outdated Reddit threads, and posts written by people who had never lived here. I write the guide I wish I'd had: honest about the upside and the downside, updated when things change, never sponsored.

Colombia visasCost of living in ColombiaExpat relocation to ColombiaHealthcare in ColombiaRenting an apartment in ColombiaBanking in ColombiaBogotáMedellínColombian Spanish

Guides by Greg Bentz

World Cup

Colombia Beats Uzbekistan 3-1 in World Cup 2026 Debut: Goals, Group K Standings, and What's Next

Colombia opened the 2026 World Cup with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca. Goals from Daniel Muñoz, Luis Díaz, and Jáminton Campaz put the Tricolor top of Group K. Full recap, standings, and the next fixture against DR Congo.

World Cup

Colombia vence 3-1 a Uzbekistán en su debut en el Mundial 2026: goles, tabla del Grupo K y lo que viene

Colombia abrió el Mundial 2026 con una victoria 3-1 sobre Uzbekistán en el Estadio Azteca. Goles de Daniel Muñoz, Luis Díaz y Jáminton Campaz dejaron a la Tricolor líder del Grupo K. Resumen, tabla y el próximo partido contra RD Congo.

World Cup

Where to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Colombia: Channels, Streaming, and From Abroad

Every way to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup from Colombia. Free-to-air on Caracol and RCN, full coverage on DSports and DGO, the streaming apps, kickoff times in Colombian time, and how to watch from outside the country.

World Cup

Dónde ver el Mundial 2026 en Colombia: canales, streaming y desde el exterior

Todas las formas de ver el Mundial 2026 desde Colombia. Señal abierta en Caracol y RCN, cobertura completa en DSports y DGO, las apps de streaming, horarios en hora colombiana y cómo ver desde fuera del país.

Getting Around

Following Colombia to Mexico and the USA: a 2026 World Cup Fan Travel Guide

Traveling from Colombia to a 2026 World Cup match? The visa rules, not the airfare, are what stop most fans. US B1/B2 versus Mexico's SAE, flight and bus costs to Guadalajara, and a pre-departure checklist.

Getting Around

Cómo seguir a Colombia a México y Estados Unidos: guía de viaje para hinchas del Mundial 2026

¿Viaja desde Colombia a un partido del Mundial 2026? Las reglas de visa, no el tiquete, son lo que frena a la mayoría. La visa B1/B2 de EE. UU. frente al SAE de México, costos de vuelos y buses a Guadalajara, y una lista de chequeo.

Money

How to Shop Amazon Prime Day 2026 from Colombia

Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs June 23 to 26. Here is how to shop it from Colombia: the local Prime membership (COP 24,900/mo), free US delivery, customs reality, and how to prep.

Money

Cómo comprar en Amazon Prime Day 2026 desde Colombia

El Amazon Prime Day 2026 es del 23 al 26 de junio. Así se compra desde Colombia: la membresía Prime local (COP 24.900/mes), envío gratis desde EE. UU., aduanas y cómo prepararte.

Safety

Is Colombia Safe in 2026? An Honest Region-by-Region Guide for Visitors and Expats

An honest, sourced answer to whether Colombia is safe in 2026. US State Department advisory levels, real homicide numbers for Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena, the actual risks (scopolamine, express kidnapping, dating-app robbery), and a practical safety checklist.

World Cup

Colombia's 2026 World Cup Squad: Full 26-Player Roster, Group K Draw, and What Expats Need to Know

Néstor Lorenzo's official 26-man Colombia squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, the full roster, Group K opponents (Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan), friendlies, and where to watch from Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena.

Safety

Colombia Election Weekend May 30 to June 1, 2026: Dry Law and Border Closures Explained

Ley seca, Rumichaca bridge closure with Ecuador, and what expats and tourists need to know for Colombia's May 31 first-round presidential election.

Family

Colombia's Permanent Minor Travel Permit (Permiso Permanente)

How the Escritura Pública gives your child blanket exit authorization until age 18. Setup, costs, the 30-day vigencia rule, and edge cases Migración Colombia enforces in 2026.

Cities

El Tour de La Ferro: Pereira's Community-Run Mural Corridor at the Airport Entrance

El Tour de La Ferro is a community-led art and music walking tour starting 5 minutes from Pereira's Matecaña airport. Backed by Colombia's Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo and FONTUR. Here is what it is, who runs it, and how to actually book it.

Safety

Buying and Selling in Colombia: Marketplace Culture, the 'What Is Your Minimum Price' Rule, and the Scams That Will Drain Your Bank Account

How Colombians actually negotiate on Facebook Marketplace, MercadoLibre, and HeyColombia, and the fake-transfer-screenshot scam that uses your cédula to lock you out of your own bank account before you realize you were never paid.

Getting Around

Spirit Airlines Is Shutting Down: What It Means for Flights to Colombia

Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026. Here is what the shutdown means for the 7 Colombian cities Spirit served, how to get refunds, and which airlines are filling the gap.

Safety

Is Prostitution Legal in Colombia? 2026 Sex Tourism Laws Explained

Colombia has dramatically tightened enforcement against sex tourism in 2026. May 2026 Supreme Court ruling on demand-side sexual exploitation, entry denials at MDE and BOG, new anti-trafficking laws, scopolamine risks, and what is actually legal vs illegal.

Safety

Violence Surges Across Colombia Weeks Before Presidential Election

FARC dissident factions launched coordinated attacks across Cauca and Valle del Cauca in late April 2026. What happened, why now, and what expats in Colombia should do.

Visas

Colombia's 2025-2026 Visa Crackdown: What Changed and What It Means for Expats

Colombia has tightened visa requirements dramatically since late 2025. Higher income thresholds, stricter document verification, and a crackdown on perpetual tourist visa runs. Here is what actually changed and how to navigate it.

Cities

Bogota Metro Line 1 Construction Progress: 75% Complete (2026 Update)

Bogota is finally getting a metro. Line 1 is 75 percent done as of April 2026, with test runs starting in May. Here is what it means for neighborhoods, commutes, and where to live.

Daily Life

Learning Spanish in Colombia: Schools, Apps, and Why Colombian Spanish Is Easier

Why Colombian Spanish is considered the clearest in Latin America, the best language schools and tutors, which apps actually work, immersion strategies that speed things up, and a realistic timeline for getting conversational.

Daily Life

Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Colombia: ICA Requirements and Airline Rules

The complete process for bringing pets to Colombia: ICA import paperwork, health certificates, vaccinations, airline cabin and cargo policies, costs, and finding pet-friendly housing once you arrive.

Daily Life

Renting an Apartment in Colombia: Scams, Deposits, and How to Actually Find One

Everything you need to know about renting in Colombia: where to search, how deposits and fiadores work, the estrato system, furnished vs unfurnished, and the scams that target foreigners who do not know better.

Cities

Medellin vs Bogota: An Honest Comparison for Expats Who Cannot Decide

Weather, cost of living, nightlife, safety, transportation, and culture compared honestly between Colombia's two biggest expat destinations. No cheerleading, just the trade-offs.

Money

How Much Money Do You Actually Need to Retire in Colombia in 2026

Real monthly budgets at three spending tiers, broken down by rent, healthcare, food, and transportation. Why the 'retire on $1000 a month' claims are misleading, and what it actually costs to live well.

Safety

Tayrona National Park Closed in February 2026: What Happened and What to Do Instead

Tayrona National Park shut down with no announced reopening date in February 2026 due to armed group threats, not the regular seasonal closure. Here is what happened, how to check reopening status, and where to go instead.

Money

Colombia's 23% Minimum Wage Hike: Why Expats Should Pay Attention

Colombia raised the minimum wage by 23 percent for 2026. That changes visa thresholds, rent, domestic help costs, and your monthly budget. Here is what moved and by how much.

Ask Capy
Capy
Colombia guide assistant
AI assistant · May make mistakes · Contact a human