Short answer: pack for several climates in one trip. In a single journey you can go from the cool Andes around Bogotá to the hot, humid Caribbean coast and the rainforest. The key is light layers, a warm jacket, a rain jacket, good walking shoes and strong mosquito protection – and as little luggage as possible, because domestic flights and small planes have strict baggage limits. Here is our checklist, based on many years of organising trips all over Colombia.
Clothing for Colombia’s climate zones
Cool highlands (Bogotá, Boyacá, páramos)
- A warm fleece or light down jacket – nights can drop to a few degrees
- Long trousers and a long-sleeved top
- Light rain jacket – showers are possible in every month
“Eternal spring” (Medellín, Coffee Region, Jardín)
- T-shirts and light trousers or skirts for the day
- A light sweater or jacket for the evenings and the mountains
- Rain jacket or small umbrella for afternoon showers
Hot lowlands (Caribbean, Pacific, Amazon, Llanos)
- Light, breathable clothing that dries quickly
- Long sleeves and long trousers in light colours for dusk – the best protection against mosquitoes
- Swimwear, sun hat, sunglasses and a light cover-up
Colombians dress neatly in the cities. Beachwear belongs on the beach; in restaurants and churches, smart-casual clothes are appreciated.
Shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes for cities and day trips
- Light hiking shoes with good grip for the Cocora Valley, coffee trails and the páramo
- Sandals for the coast and the lodge
- For the Lost City trek: trail shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, plus sandals for river crossings and the camps
Rainforest, Llanos and trekking extras
- Strong insect repellent (DEET or icaridin) and after-bite cream
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Small daypack with rain cover, and dry bags for your phone and documents
- Reusable water bottle
- Binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife in the Llanos and the Amazon – see our Orinoco Wild Safari
- On multi-day treks: pack light – a small backpack of about 30 litres is enough
For divers
- Your certification card and logbook, and dive insurance
- Mask and computer if you prefer your own; at most destinations the rest of the equipment can be rented
- Providencia: full rental gear is included in the price of our Providencia diving trips.
- Malpelo: we recommend bringing your own full gear. Malpelo is a challenging dive site, and it is good to dive with equipment you know well.
- A wetsuit suited to the destination: the Caribbean around Providencia is warm, while Malpelo can have cold thermoclines. For Malpelo from January to March we recommend a 7 mm wetsuit or a semi-dry suit with hood and gloves; for the rest of the year a 5 mm suit
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a surface marker buoy if you have one
- Seasickness tablets for boat trips and liveaboards
Tell us your experience and the equipment you bring, and we will confirm what you need for each dive trip – for example our Providencia diving trip or our liveaboard cruises.
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen with high protection – the sun is strong, also in the mountains
- Personal medication in its original packaging, with a doctor’s note in English
- A small first-aid kit: plasters, blister pads, painkillers, diarrhoea tablets, rehydration salts
- Your yellow fever vaccination certificate if your trip includes rural or lowland regions – see our guide to entry requirements and health
- Hand sanitiser and tissues – not every rural toilet has paper
Documents and money
- Passport valid for at least six months, plus a copy on your phone
- Check-Mig confirmation for arrival and departure
- Travel and health insurance details
- Two bank cards from different banks and some small notes – see our guide to money in Colombia
Electronics
- Plug adapter: Colombia uses US-style plugs (types A and B) at 110–120 volts. European travellers need an adapter; most phone and laptop chargers work with both voltages, but check hair dryers and other devices.
- Power bank – useful on long travel days and in lodges with limited electricity
- A local SIM card or eSIM for maps and app taxis
- Waterproof phone case for boat trips
What to leave at home
- Expensive jewellery and watches
- Large, heavy suitcases – a soft bag or backpack is easier on small planes, boats and cobbled streets
- Too many clothes: laundry service is cheap and available almost everywhere
Plan your trip with us
With every tailor-made trip, we send you a practical checklist before departure. Read also our guides to the best time to visit and getting around Colombia, ask for your itinerary or write to us on WhatsApp.
Last updated: November 2026.
