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colombia
In-depth guides to moving to, living in, and thriving in Colombia. Covers visas, cost of living, neighborhoods, healthcare, banking, and expat life.
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colombia guides for real Colombia decisions
colombia brings together 288 guides for readers researching colombia, with practical context on colombia.
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288 guides available.
colombiaApril 1, 2026Why Americans Are Leaving the US and Moving to Colombia
Americans are leaving the US for Colombia in record numbers — and it's not just retirees. Here's why they're going, how to prepare, the real pros and cons, and what it actually costs.
cost-of-livingMarch 31, 2026Colombia’s Estrato System Explained: How It Affects Your Bills
Colombia’s estrato system classifies every building into tiers 1–6 and directly affects your utility bills, property taxes, and cost of living. Here’s how it works.
medellinMarch 31, 2026Medellín vs Cartagena for Expats: The Honest Comparison
Mountains or beach? Medellín and Cartagena are Colombia’s top expat cities but couldn’t be more different. Here’s the honest cost, weather, lifestyle, and safety comparison.
medellinMarch 31, 202610 Best Day Trips From Medellín (Ranked by a Local)
Guatapé, Jardín, Río Claro, and 7 more incredible escapes within 1–3 hours of Medellín. Real costs, how to get there, and which ones are worth an overnight.
expat-lifeMarch 31, 2026Tipping in Colombia: When, How Much, and Who to Tip
Colombia’s tipping culture is different from the US. Here’s exactly when to tip, how much, and the one phrase you need to know: propina voluntaria.
expat-lifeMarch 31, 2026How to Set Up Utilities in Colombia: Electricity, Water, Internet & Phone
Everything you need to set up electricity, water, gas, internet, and phone in Colombia. Providers, costs by estrato, and how the bill payment system works.
expat-lifeMarch 31, 2026Colombian Food Guide: 20 Must-Try Dishes, Prices & Street Food
A practical Colombian food guide with must-try dishes, real prices, street-food safety tips, arepas, bandeja paisa, and what to order first.
medellinMarch 31, 2026Medellín Metro & Transport Guide: How to Get Around Like a Local
The complete guide to Medellín’s Metro, Metrocable, trams, buses, and ride-hailing apps. How to pay, what it costs, and the tips locals know.
expat-lifeMarch 31, 2026Colombian Slang: 50+ Words & Phrases Every Expat Needs to Know
Parce, bacano, chimba, rumba — Colombian Spanish is full of slang that no textbook teaches. Here are 50+ essential words and phrases every expat needs, with pronunciations and real examples.
travel-tipsMarch 31, 2026What to Pack for Colombia: The Only Packing List You Need
After living in Colombia, here’s exactly what I’d pack — and what I’d leave behind. The essential packing list for expats, digital nomads, and travelers heading to Colombia in 2026.
bankingMarch 31, 2026How to Convert USD to Colombian Pesos (Nearly Free) Using Kraken & ARQ
Stop losing 3–5% on every dollar you convert. I use Kraken to buy USDC and ARQ (formerly DolarApp) to convert to pesos at the real rate — total cost: about $2–5 per $2,000 transfer.
travel-tipsMarch 31, 2026How to Rent a Car in Colombia: Why I Use Localiza (And You Should Too)
Localiza is 30–50% cheaper than Hertz, Budget, and Sixt in Colombia, with 63 locations and a full app experience. Here’s my complete guide to renting a car as a foreigner.