Colombia Packing List (20 Things You Might Forget to Bring)

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Think packing for Colombia is one-size-fits-all? Think again. Not only does this South American country have multiple climates, but it has a few packing quirks you should know before you go.

I solo-traveled Colombia and absolutely loved it. Still, there were some packing mistakes I made that could have been avoided with a little more planning. Not to mention that, while you’ll likely visit Colombia without incident, there are some safety items you need to bring.

To set you off on the best foot, I’ve put together this list of exactly what to pack for Colombia.

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20 Travel Essentials for Colombia

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

Slash-Proof Day Bag

I highly recommend bringing a slash-proof day bag on your trip to Colombia. While incidents of street theft aren’t likely to happen, they’re not totally unheard of, either. Being proactive can pay huge dividends.

The Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag is the exact day bag I took to Colombia, and I think it’s the perfect option. The compartments lock, it’s RFID-blocking, it has expansion pockets for water bottles and an umbrella, and yes, it’s totally slash-proof.

Portable Power Bank

Having your phone die while you’re exploring Colombia (or anywhere, really) is simply no bueno. 

Stay charged at all times with this Portable Charger Power Bank. It’s compatible with a bunch of different smartphones, is small enough to fit in your day bag, and is highly-rated across the board.

Portable Door Lock

I like bringing a portable door lock with me pretty much everywhere I travel, and Colombia was no different. Whether you’re staying at a hotel or airbnb, a door lock gives you added peace of mind that nobody can get in your room.

The Addalock – The Original Portable Door Lock is an easy-to-use device that keeps your door locked when you’re inside.

Water Purifier

While the tap water in Colombia’s major cities is generally potable, the same can’t be said for more rural and coastal areas.

Personally, I purified my water everywhere I went in Colombia just to be safe. I brought along my GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle and used it every time I was thirsty or brushed my teeth. 

Plus, I saved on waste by not having to buy plastic bottles. 

Travel Umbrella

If you’re traveling inland Colombia or during the wet season, then you can pretty much expect to get caught in the rain at some point. I got caught in a torrential downpour when I was in Medellin, and I was super grateful I had my umbrella on hand.

This SY COMPACT Travel Umbrella is a highly rated option. It packs down and even fits in the day bag I recommended above.

Money Belt

Colombia is a destination where it’s best to be prepared. I’m not saying something is going to happen on your trip (I traveled alone as a woman completely without incident), but staying proactive will give you peace of mind.

That’s why I recommend wearing a good old-fashioned Alpha Keeper Hidden Money Belt under your clothes.

Personal Alarm

Again, chances are you’ll have an incident-free trip to Colombia. However, I think carrying a personal safety alarm is a good idea no matter where you travel to.

The She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm is one of the best on the market. To activate, you just pull the pin on top and the alarm creates a super loud siren and flashing strobe light. It helps deter attacks and gives peace of mind.

Travel Pillow

Chances are you’ll have to take at least a couple flights to get to Colombia – and you don’t want to land with a kink in your neck.

The trtl Pillow is one of the highest-rated options you can get. It’s super supportive, packs downs small, and is lightweight.

Travel Laundry Bag

In between washes, it’s pretty much essential to keep dirty clothes away from clean ones in your suitcase.

I like the Kikkerland Travel-Size Laundry Bag because it’s not too big, it’s durable, and it has a fun travel design.

Toiletry Bag

Have you ever taken a shower in an Airbnb, hotel, or hostel, and couldn’t find any hooks to hang your toiletry bag on? And so you had to put your toiletry bag on the… floor? 

I have, and it was super gross.

All to say – you need a hanging toiletry bag while you’re traveling in Colombia. I like this Toiletry Bag Kit Set because it has tons of compartments and includes a clear bag for going through airport security.

Waterproof Dry Bag

Heading to Colombia’s coastal areas? Then I very much recommend a dry bag. Whether you’re on a boat or the beach, it keeps all your stuff dry so you can just focus on having fun.

The Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag is my recommended option for keeping your stuff dry while on a trip.

Mosquito Repellent

Not to freak you out, but Colombia battles several mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. While you should get vaccinated against these if you can, having a second line of defense is a really good idea.

Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm is a DEET-free, natural option that actually has a lot of good reviews (we all know that natural mosquito-balms are not all created equal). It works by masking your scent with its aroma.

Sunscreen

Looking for a sunscreen that can go from Bogota to the shores of Cartagena and leave your skin fresh as a daisy? 

I have to recommend All Good Reef Safe Sunscreen. It’s an SPF 30+ mineral sport sunscreen that’s both water resistant and reef-safe.

First Aid Kit

Regardless of the destination, a portable first aid kit is pretty much travel packing gospel. 

This Band-Aid Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit is perfect for everyday cuts, scrapes and bruises. It has 80+ pieces including antibacterial wipes, bandaids, and gauze. 

Compression Packing Cubes

Value space and organization in your luggage? So do I, and that’s why I’ve used the Well Traveled Compression Packing Cubes for 3+ years now. I’ve taken them to multiple continents, and they’re just as good as new with not a fray in sight.

Small Camera

Want to take great photos, but don’t always want to have your phone in your hand? That’s exactly how I felt in Colombia. It’s not always safe to have your phone out on the street. 

For this reason, I recommend bringing a pocket-sized action cam. In particular, the GoPro Hero 13 Black is a tried-and-true favorite. It helps you capture your most adventurous moments, city escapes, and everything in between.

Phone Lanyard

One simple piece of advice? Don’t have your phone out on the street while you’re walking around. Unfortunately, phone snatching is one of the more common petty thefts in Colombia.

However, for when you need to use your phone and can’t quickly dive into a cafe or convenience store, I recommend a lanyard. This Golifyne Anti-theft Phone Lanyard works with all types of smartphones.

Checklist of Other Colombia Essentials to Pack

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Toiletries
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• Beach Towel
• Razors
• Sunglasses
• Phone charger
• Small lock for hostels
• Cable lock for hotels
• Laptop
• Device chargers
• Passport
• Hand sanitizer
• Kindle
• Ibuprofen
• Dramamine
• Vaccinations
• Contact Lens Solution
• Feminine hygiene products
• Headphones

Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Colombia

We’ve gone over all the travel essentials, but there’s more to it. Here are some of my clothing recommendations for Colombia:

Rain Jacket

From Bogota to Medellin and beyond, there’s a solid chance you’re going to get caught in the rain in Colombia. It’s a country of many altitudes and climates, and packing a rain jacket is totally an essential item.

The 33,000ft Packable Rain Jacket is perfect for Colombia. It packs down to almost nothing and is super lightweight.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking in Colombia? For the sake of your feet, please don’t do it wearing flimsy footwear. Hikes here can be strenuous, and there are critters you probably don’t want to access your toes.

The Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe is a great option. They won’t take up too much space in your bag and are durable, so they’ll last you for years.

Closed-Toe Walking Shoes

Real talk: wearing flip-flops around Colombia’s major cities is just going to make you look like a tourist. In my experience, wearing stylish, close-toed walking shoes will make you fit in a little better (and you’ll keep the street greeblies off your toes, too.)

If you’re in the market for some new walking shoes, these Skechers Women’s Go Walk Arch Fit Unify Sneaker are a great option. They’re super comfy, durable, and go with a ton of outfits.

Other Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Colombia

So what clothing, shoes, and accessories should you pack for Colombia? Here is a quick clothing checklist for Colombia: 

• 2-3 pairs of pants or jeans
• 2-3 pairs of shorts
• 1 pair of active shorts
• 3 sweaters or cardigans (seasonal & for inland locations)
• 1 pair of hiking pants
• 3-5 tops or T-shirts
• 1 dressier outfit
• 1-2 bathing suits 
• 1 swim coverup
• 1 ball cap or sunhat
• 5-7 pairs of socks (1-2 pairs of hiking socks)
• 5-7 pairs of underwear
• 3-4 bras 
• 1 sports bra
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of outdoor sandals

Colombia Packing Tips

Pack For the Climate

You might be surprised to hear this, but Colombia isn’t a hot and humid country across the board. For example, Medellin is known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” and Bogota’s elevation is so high that the temperature sometimes drops as low as 44°F (7°C).

Meanwhile, in coastal Cartagena, the average temperature in January (the coldest month) is 82°F (27.8°C).

Safe to say, you should pack for the exact region/s of Colombia you’ll be visiting. Factor in the month and rainy seasons, too!

Wear Layers

Unless you’re visiting the coast (where you’ll likely just wear breezy beachy clothes), I highly recommend packing layers in Colombia.

Morning and evening in Bogota can get somewhat chilly, while the sunshine during the day warms things right up. A light jacket or sweater is perfect for the fluctuating temperatures.

Leave the Flashy Items at Home

They have a saying in Colombia, “No Dar Papaya,” which translates to “Don’t Give Papaya.”

Now, before you tell me that you had no plans to give your papayas away anyway, I’ll explain that this phrase essentially means don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position, or don’t make yourself a target.

All to say, only bring to Colombia what you need, and leave the extras at home. Don’t flash expensive jewelry or electronics around, and stay street smart.

I can’t say you’ll have an incident in Colombia. But being prepared and aware is your best defense. 

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

So, while I just told you not to pack any extras, I have to mention that Colombians do take a lot of pride in their looks and they dress smartly.

I recommend putting together outfits that match and “go” together, but that aren’t too expensive or ostentatious. 

Naturally, the easiest way to do this is by creating a capsule wardrobe. This alludes to a wardrobe that has pieces you can mix and match, but everything ‘goes’ together. You can wear this top with those pants and vice versa.

This saves space in your bag and makes sure your style is always on point.

Don’t Carry a Large Day Bag

Similar to “no dar papaya,” I recommend only bringing a modest day bag and carrying what you need in Colombia. Leave the large backpacks at home or your hotel, and just bring the essentials while you explore.

Personally, I rarely carry a bag too big (I hate lugging things around all day long), but it really makes life easier in Colombia.

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🖨️ Get a free, printable version of this packing list here

Thanks for reading my guide to packing for Colombia! Want to go carry-on only? Then read Vanessa’s carry-on packing list next.