Blog
Deep dives on the biggest questions expats face when moving to Colombia. Visa changes, money decisions, city comparisons, and practical how-to guides.
Is Cartagena Safe? An Honest Look (and the Calm Coast Locals Prefer)
Is Cartagena safe in 2026? An honest answer for travelers: the real risks are scams and petty crime, not the border-region violence behind the US advisory. Plus the quiet Caribbean coast that skips the hustle.
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.
CultureCorralejas de Tolú: Inside Colombia's Wildest, and Possibly Last, Bull Festival
What the corralejas of Santiago de Tolú actually are, why they are dangerous, why Colombia is about to ban them, and how to experience one safely as a visitor on the Sucre coast. Told partly through a gringo who runs in them every year.
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 (preliminary count). What the result means for expats, the peso, and daily life.
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 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 CupWhere 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.
Getting AroundFollowing 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. The US B1/B2 visa versus Mexico's visa-free entry, flight and bus costs to Guadalajara, and a pre-departure checklist.
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, where the race stands, and what the dry-law weekend means for expats and tourists.
MoneyHow 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.
SafetyIs 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 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 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.
SafetyColombia 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.
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 edge cases Migración Colombia enforces in 2026.
CitiesEl 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.
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 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 AroundSpirit 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.
Informational, Not Legal AdviceSafetyIs Prostitution Legal in Colombia? 2026 Sex Tourism Laws Explained
Yes, prostitution between consenting adults is legal in Colombia, but 2026 enforcement is aggressive: a May 2026 Supreme Court ruling, entry denials at MDE and BOG airports, hotel liability, and hard criminal lines explained.
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, why now, and what expats in Colombia should do.
VisasColombia'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.
CitiesBogota Metro Line 1 Construction Progress: 80% Complete (2026 Update)
Bogota is finally getting a 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. Here is what it means for neighborhoods, commutes, and where to live.
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 actually work, immersion strategies that speed things up, and a realistic timeline for getting conversational.
Daily LifeBringing 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 LifeRenting 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.
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. No cheerleading, just the trade-offs.
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. Why the 'retire on $1000 a month' claims are misleading, and what it actually costs to live well.
SafetyTayrona 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.
MoneyColombia'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.