Are you considering a big move all the way to Colombia?
Not to be confused with Columbia, South Carolina, we are talking about the South American country of Colombia.
The country of Colombia is more than Pablo Escobar and civil conflict.
Find out what is so great about living in Colombia including the nightlife, coastal climate, the Andes Mountains, and biodiversity.
Plus, they brew a great cup of coffee there!
Discover the pros and cons of life in Colombia as an ex-pat, a student, or a family of four.
Contents
Pros of Living in Colombia
1. Low Cost of Living
Medellin has some of the lowest costs of housing and most options for recreational activities in South America, as one of the biggest cities in the country.
As an example of what it would look like to live in Medellin, the city is 71.16 percent less costly compared to New York City.
For a single person, the average monthly spending is $400 US without rent.
2. Nightlife and Club Scene
Back in Medellin, which is in the department of Antioquia in the region of the northwest, nearly 4 million people call this city home.
There is a wonderful main plaza and dozens of terrific bars in this Medellin locale.
Trilogia Bar, The Blue Bar, La Octava Bar, Club Libido, Son Havana Bar, Sweet Jesus Mine, Vintrash, Apotheosis Club…and the list of nightclubs go on.
Another key point is the legal age for drinking alcohol is lower in Colombia and other South American countries.
Here you can drink at 18 in bars and clubs compared to 21 in the US.
3. Cool Climate on the Coast
Cartagena, Taganga, Palomino, and Buenaventura are the top cities for coastal life in Colombia.
If you are searching for the best beaches, go to Cartagena and hit up La Boquilla outside of the Old City.
Otherwise, you are on the coast of two oceans–the Atlantic and the Pacific–which is something unique only to Colombia.
Aspire to visit both oceans in one day…a feat that would be nearly impossible to do when traveling by land in the USA.
4. Great for Retired Expats
Want to relocate in your senior years? So do a lot of ex-pats migrating from the US, and Colombia is a great place to do so.
The country is ranked No. 6 in the world for retirees for a number of reasons.
The climate is warm, and so is the welcoming feeling among the locals in this vivacious country.
7. Biodiversity of the Amazon
Colombia is in the Amazon River and Rainforest region, aka the Amazonas, along with neighboring Peru and Brazil.
In the southern tip of the country, you can live in the Amazon if you move to Colombia.
That is worth the trip for some people who would love to have sloths, jaguars, anacondas, caimans, and capybaras as backyard visitors.
Visitors can take Amazon riverboat adventure tours in Colombia.
These tours allow the public to see indigenous communities of the Ticunas who live in the Amazon Basin.
You can also visit Monkey Island inhabited by monkeys.
8. Shopping is Exciting
Cartagena, Cali, and Bogota are suggested by Frommer as having great shopping malls.
Whether you want to buy handicrafts or high fashion, these shops have a lot to offer you will not find elsewhere.
Shopaholics can indulge in artisanal artwork, Amazonian emeralds, and animal-printed Armani.
Colombian finds also include chocolates, Chamba pottery, handmade hammocks, and coca tea.
9. Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are a range of mountains running down the entire western coast of South America.
Of course, in Colombia, you are at the northern edge of the mountain range.
The highest volcanoes are in the Andes.
This produces some of the best coffee beans as a result of the runoff in the Colombian region of the mountains.
In fact, UNESCO recognizes the Cordillera de Los Andes as the Coffee Culture Landscape of Colombia (CCLC).
Whether you like to hike or drink great coffee, the Andes Mountains of Colombia are a perfect location.
10. Dancing
Colombia is famous for dancing and the cumbia is the national dance of the people.
Other popular dances that Colombians do in public include salsa, salsa choke, merengue, and champeta.
Bachata is another type of dancing done locally, but some do call this one a sinful dance.
Cons of Living in Colombia
1. Concept of Pablo Escobar and Cocaine
In the US and abroad outside of Colombia, the primary concept we have about this country is built around one man.
Pablo Escobar was a globally notorious drug lord who was infamously shot down on his rooftop by US special operatives.
He is most notorious for his selling and dealing of the drug called cocaine.
Cocaine is primarily made from the coca leaf, which comes from South American countries, including Colombia.
Therefore, most people subconsciously connect Colombia with Pablo Escobar and cocaine.
For some, this creates a problem with trying to move to this country.
Everyone will suspect you are trying to sell cocaine or at least to score a bag.
2. No Snow in the Winter
Speaking of snow, Colombia is closer to the equator than Florida, so you cannot expect to see snowfall here.
However, if you travel to the Andes Mountains, you get snowy peaks in the middle of winter.
For those individuals who are used to four seasons, including a snowy, cold winter, Colombia is too coastal and tropical for that type of weather.
3. New Police Force
Colombia recently had a New Code of Police and Coexistence.
This replaces the previous police code and changes the way the police departments handle behavior and penalties.
As of 2017, new codes enforce that police cannot be disrespected and can enter your residence without having a warrant.
Fines for having non-muzzled breeds of dogs in public areas have increased to $285 as well.
A lot of change-up with the country’s police at this level is disarming if you are considering moving to Colombia to live.
4. They Speak Spanish
If you do not know Spanish, you will have a difficult time in this country.
Fortunately, the language is very similar to English since these are both Latin languages.
Learning Spanish will help you tremendously and could make or break your ability to live in Colombia.
After all, if you do not speak the language, you are more likely to get conned out of money or opportunities due to a lack of communication.
5. High Number of Motorcycles
A lot of Colombians cannot afford cars or lack access to public transportation.
Therefore, they use motorcycles as a main form of transportation.
This has many drawbacks, including battling with motorcycles for space on freeways and on twisty mountain roads.
If you like riding motorcycles, you will love this aspect of the culture.
However, most people are not used to seeing and hearing motorcycles all the time.
6. Tropical Storms
Located on the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia is a country that has a tropical climate.
As a result, tropical storms including hurricanes are quite common.
Along with being next to the ocean, Colombia is also prone to heat waves and flooding.
However, droughts are also problematic. Avoid moving to Colombia in the early fall if you want to stay away from tropical storms.
7. Continuing Drug War and Civil Conflict
There is also that issue with the violence associated with drug manufacturing.
Colombia has been in a civil conflict for decades, and more than 5.7 million people have been displaced in the past 50 years.
Between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), there are a lot of kidnappings, extortions, hijackings, and assassinations.
If you are planning to move to Colombia, you might end up dealing with terrorists and not even knowing about it.
8. Cheese in Hot Chocolate and Hormigas Culonas
So, evidently, one of the weirdest things you can find in Colombia is cheese and hot chocolate.
This is actually cheese added to hot chocolate, which is the strange part.
Then you have the hormigas culonas, which are technically big-bottomed ants.
And you eat these.
Yes, this is true.
In Colombia, the trade of hunting these ants is a hot job prospect and people make a living selling the ants by the kilo.
Pros and Cons of Living in Colombia – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Colombia | Cons of Living in Colombia |
|---|---|
| 1. Low Cost of Living | 1. Concept of Pablo Escobar and Cocaine |
| 2. Nightlife and Club Scene | 2. No Snow in the Winter |
| 3. Cool Climate on the Coast | 3. New Police Force |
| 4. Great for Retired Expats | 4.They Speak Spanish |
| 7. Biodiversity of the Amazon | 5. High Number of Motorcycles |
| 8. Shopping is Exciting | 6. Tropical Storms |
| 9. Andes Mountains | 7. Continuing Drug War and Civil Conflict |
| 10. Dancing | 8. Cheese in Hot Chocolate and Hormigas Culonas |
Colombia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Colombia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest city in Colombia?
The largest city in Colombia is Uribia in La Guajira.
The city has a square mileage of 3,200 and a population of 186,500 people, as of 2017.
The Colombian city of Bogota, for comparison, is only 612 square miles, even though it is far more populated than Uribia with 7 million people.
Which city in Colombia has the most people?
The most populated city in Colombia is Bogota.
The city has more than 7 million people.
Additional cities have more than 1 million residents, including Cali, Medellin, and Barranquilla.
What is the biggest religion in Colombia?
Catholic Christianity is Colombia’s most predominant religion with 69 percent of the nation representing such.
Next up is Evangelist with 16 percent of the population showing this affiliation.
What is the poverty rate in Colombia?
The poverty rate in Colombia is 35.7 percent, according to the World Bank.
This is super high, especially compared to the US.
For example, similarly named Columbia, SC has a 22 percent poverty rate and that is considered high here in the US.
What is the most popular alcohol in Colombia?
In Colombia, the most popular alcohol is called aguardiente.
This alcohol is translated as fiery water in English.
It is made using sugarcane and has the flavor of anise.
The alcohol is processed from aniseed to give it that signature taste.
The alcohol is mixed with other sugary syrups and carbonated beverages to create cocktails.
They also drink canelazo, which can be mixed with aguardiente for a warm drink.
Thank you for the information
English is not a Latin language. English is Germanic. Spanish and English are not similar at all. Verbs are conjugated in Spanish. This is arguably the most difficult part of learning Spanish.
Colombia offers breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm-hearted people; however, safety concerns and occasional political instability can be drawbacks.