Blog
Deep dives on the biggest questions expats face when moving to Colombia. Visa changes, money decisions, city comparisons, and practical how-to guides.
The Best CDTs in Colombia in 2026: Real Rates, FOGAFIN Cover, and the Brand Trap
The CDT rates Colombia's financial regulator actually reports, not the advertised ones. Week of 26 August 2026, FOGAFIN cover, and the brand trap.
Informational, Not Legal AdviceSafetyPereira Earthquake: Where to Donate, What Is Open, and How to Get Help
Verified directory after the 10 August 2026 earthquake: collection points with real addresses, blood donation, money channels, and circulating scams.
SafetyIs Cartagena Safe? An Honest Look (and the Calm Coast Locals Prefer)
Is Cartagena safe in 2026? The real risks are scams and petty crime, not the border-region violence behind the US advisory.
CultureBrew Your Own Craft Beer in Pereira with 1516 Malta y Lúpulo
Spend four hours as a brewer in Pereira: 1516 Malta y Lúpulo's hands-on craft beer experience, guided tastings, and three packages from COP 121,516 per person.
World CupColombia's World Cup Is Over. For This Generation, It Was the Last One.
Colombia went out of the 2026 World Cup to Switzerland on penalties in the round of 16. The golden generation of James Rodríguez and David Ospina ends.
CultureCorralejas de Tolú: Inside Colombia's Wildest, and Possibly Last, Bull Festival
What the corralejas of Santiago de Tolú are, why they are dangerous, why Colombia is about to ban them, and how to experience one safely.
SafetyColombia Presidential Runoff Result, June 21, 2026: De la Espriella Wins
Abelardo de la Espriella beat Ivan Cepeda in Colombia's June 21 runoff by the narrowest margin in history. What it means for expats and the peso.
World CupColombia 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 Muñoz, Díaz and Campaz put them top of Group K.
World CupWhere to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Colombia: Channels, Streaming, and From Abroad
Free-to-air on Caracol and RCN, full coverage on DSports and DGO, the streaming apps, and kickoff times in Colombian time.
Getting AroundFollowing Colombia to Mexico and the USA: a 2026 World Cup Fan Travel Guide
Visa rules, not airfare, stop most fans. The US B1/B2 visa versus Mexico's visa-free entry, and flight and bus costs to Guadalajara.
SafetyColombia Presidential Runoff, June 21, 2026: Candidates and What Expats Should Know
Iván Cepeda vs Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia's June 21 presidential runoff. Who is running and what the dry-law weekend means.
MoneyHow to Shop Amazon Prime Day 2026 from Colombia
Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs June 23 to 26. Shop from Colombia with the local Prime membership at COP 24,900 monthly and free US delivery.
SafetyIs Colombia Safe in 2026? An Honest Region-by-Region Guide for Visitors and Expats
US State Department advisory levels, real homicide numbers for Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena, risks like scopolamine, and a safety checklist.
World CupColombia'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 World Cup. James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Group K opponents, and where to watch.
SafetyColombia Election Weekend May 30 to June 1, 2026: Dry Law and Border Closures Explained
Ley seca, the Rumichaca bridge closure with Ecuador, and what expats and tourists need to know for Colombia's May 31 presidential election.
Informational, Not Legal AdviceFamilyColombia'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 2026 edge cases.
CitiesEl Tour de La Ferro: Pereira's Community-Run Mural Corridor at the Airport Entrance
Community-led art and music walking tour five minutes from Pereira's Matecaña airport, backed by the Ministerio de Comercio and FONTUR.
SafetyBuying and Selling in Colombia: Marketplace Culture, the 'What Is Your Minimum Price' Rule, and the Scams That Will Drain Your Bank Account
How Colombians negotiate on Facebook Marketplace, MercadoLibre, and HeyColombia, and the fake-transfer-screenshot scam that locks you out of your bank account.
Getting AroundSpirit Airlines Is Shutting Down: What It Means for Flights to Colombia
Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026. What it means for the 7 Colombian cities it served, refunds, and which airlines fill the gap.
Informational, Not Legal AdviceSafetyIs Prostitution Legal in Colombia? 2026 Sex Tourism Laws Explained
Prostitution between consenting adults is legal in Colombia, but 2026 enforcement is aggressive: a May 2026 Supreme Court ruling and airport entry denials.
SafetyViolence 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 and what expats should do.
VisasColombia's 2025-2026 Visa Crackdown: What Changed and What It Means for Expats
Colombia tightened visa requirements since late 2025 with higher income thresholds, stricter document checks, and a crackdown on perpetual tourist visa runs.
CitiesBogota Metro Line 1 Construction Progress: 80% Complete (2026 Update)
Bogota Metro Line 1 reached 80.37 percent as of June 2026, with 16 km of viaduct built and 14 of 30 trains in the country.
Daily LifeLearning 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 work, and immersion strategies.
Daily LifeBringing Your Dog or Cat to Colombia: ICA Requirements and Airline Rules
Complete process for bringing dogs or cats to Colombia: ICA import paperwork, health certificates, vaccinations, airline policies, and costs.
Daily LifeRenting an Apartment in Colombia: Scams, Deposits, and How to Actually Find One
Where to search, how deposits and fiadores work, the estrato system, furnished versus unfurnished, and the scams that target foreigners.
CitiesMedellin 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.
MoneyHow 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, and why $1000-a-month claims mislead.
SafetyTayrona National Park Closed in February 2026: What Happened and What to Do Instead
Tayrona National Park shut down in February 2026 with no announced reopening date due to armed group threats. How to check status and alternatives.
MoneyColombia's 23% Minimum Wage Hike: Why Expats Should Pay Attention
Colombia raised the minimum wage by 23 percent for 2026, changing visa thresholds, rent, domestic help costs and your monthly budget.