Colombia for Filipinos is visa-free! And I’ve traveled across the country twice and stayed for 90 days. In this guide, I’ll give you insider tips on how to travel to Colombia as a Philippine passport holder.

Hi Trisha, I am moved by your story for traveling to many countries as a Filipino. I saw your Colombia video on Youtube. I know Colombia for Filipinos is visa-free, but I’m honestly terrified of customs. What if they ask too many questions or think I’m staying longer than allowed? I’ve never traveled that far before, and the idea of facing immigration officers makes me anxious. Even if the visa isn’t required, I worry about being turned away at the airport. Do I need to show proof of funds or a return ticket? What are the best travel tips for Filipinos to avoid problems at customs?Beyond that, I’m also unsure about the basics: how much money should I bring, what areas are safe, and how do I get around without speaking Spanish? I’d love some travel tips that cover both customs and everyday life in Colombia!
- Jenny from Pangasinan

Hi Jenny!

Thanks for following this journey! I also saw your message on Instagram that’s why I am creating this post for you.

Well, yes, Colombia is visa-free so you don’t have to worry. I think the only challenge is the flights: it’s really far from the Philippines, but when you are there, the costs are almost the same like in the Philippines.

Anyway, here is a travel guide to Colombia for Filipinos. If you have any questions that weren’t answered in this post, feel free to leave a comment or contact me on Instagram!

Good luck and I hope you make it to Colombia!!!

Xx, Trisha

?? Traveling the world on a Filipino passport isn’t easy but I’ve been doing it for 17 years. I’ve figured out the hacks, the routes, and the mindset that make it possible. I’ve even lived in Colombia twice, each time for the full 90 days, so I know how to stretch an itinerary and navigate customs without stress. If you’re ready to stop just dreaming and actually plan your own Colombia adventure, book a call with me. Let’s map out your journey together, Filipino to Filipino.
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Colombia for Filipinos is visa-free!

Colombia is visa-free for Philippine passport holders. That’s it.

I will not explain it further since a lot of people are so scared to travel to these foreign countries even if it clearly says visa-free.

Again, it’s visa-free: book a flight tomorrow and enter freely. No need to go to an Embassy to apply for a visa. Own it. There’s nothing to be afraid of. GO EXPLORE!

Flights from the Philippines to Colombia for Filipinos

As some of you know, I didn’t fly from the Philippines to Colombia. I was already traveling around South America, covering 20 countries. Colombia is part of that route.

Note that there are no direct flights from the Philippines to Colombia. It’s a long way, and you need to do a layover. There are layovers of up to 3 stops, but that’s really exhausting (although very cheap).

The fastest one-stop connections take about 22–24 hours, while most routes range between 25–33 hours.

If Colombia is your only destination and you won’t include other countries in South America, here are some options for the flight with prices:

When you book a single ticket with one airline (or partner airlines under the same booking), you usually stay in the international transit area of the layover airport. In that case:

• No transit visa is required for Filipinos, because you’re not officially “entering” the country. You’re just passing through.
• Your checked luggage is automatically transferred to the next flight.
• You only need to go through security checks and possibly another boarding gate, but not immigration.

The trick here is to book with one airline and not with multiple airlines so you don’t have to apply for a visa for a layover or spend on accommodations during the layover.

Note that the US and Canada almost always require a transit visa or valid tourist visa, even if you’re just connecting.

If you have a US or Canadian visa, it will be cheaper to book separate flights (Philippines to USA/CA then USA/CA to Colombia).

Personally, I do not want to go to the hassle of these transit visas so I always choose to fly via Doha or Dubai. It doesn’t necessarily make travel expenses cheaper, but it’s hassle-free.

Flights from Manila to Colombia are not direct, and prices depend on the route and airline. On average, roundtrip fares range from ₱42,000 to ₱55,000 for budget-friendly options, while premium carriers like Avianca, Copa Airlines, or Turkish Airlines can cost ₱90,000–₱120,000.

The fastest connections, usually via Toronto or Panama City, take about 23–25 hours and are priced higher.

However, remember that Philippine passport holders need transit visas for US or Canada layovers, even if they are only connecting.

? CHECK FLIGHTS TO COLOMBIA FROM MANILA →

Colombia for Filipinos travel essentials

We are always freaked out about passing through customs (I know, they made us very afraid, no?) but if you have the right requirements (or extra!), you don’t have to worry.

Here is a list of essentials that you must have (obligatory) before traveling to Colombia:

• Hotel reservation: if you’re traveling to multiple cities, it’s OK to just book for your first stop (? book here for certified Colombia hotels)
• If you’re on a budget, book a hostel (? see hostel prices here)
• Outbound flight ticket: this is mandatory for all countries, especially for us Filipinos (? check prices for Manila-Bogota flights)
• Travel insurance: Do not travel to Colombia without an insurance, not because of fear, but you know, always be prepared. I know this is the least priority for Filipino travelers as we have the attitude of “nothing happened to me in my last trip” but this is quite important. (? Buy travel insurance here)
• Colombia E-SIM: I know you always want to stay connected for directions and research. I also know you’d like to share your Colombia travel adventures on social media! (? Get an E-SIM here)

Best time to travel to Colombia for Filipinos

If you don’t care about the weather or just winging it just to get to Colombia, cheaper fares are often available in September and November, while peak months like June and December push prices upward.

Honestly, I love traveling to Colombia in these months because there are less travelers and Colombia isn’t crowded during these months.

Now, if you are a Filipino traveler who cares about the weather, the sweet spot is during the dry months of December to March and July to August. That’s when the skies are clear, beaches are sunny, and it’s perfect for exploring cities like Cartagena or Medellín.

These months are also packed with festivals, so expect lively streets and higher prices. Either way, Colombia’s vibe is year-round, so you’ll always find something worth the trip.

What Filipinos should explore in Colombia

When it comes to Colombia for Filipinos, think of it as a mix of adventure and culture that feels both familiar and fresh. You’ve got the colorful streets of Cartagena, the cool vibe of Medellín, and the artsy energy of Bogotá.

Beyond the cities, there’s the Coffee Triangle for laid-back countryside charm, Tayrona National Park for jungle-meets-beach adventures, and festivals like Barranquilla Carnival that Pinoys will relate to (and love!)

Here are some highlights for traveling to Colombia for Filipinos:

Must-see destinations

1. Cartagena: A walled colonial city with cobblestone streets, Caribbean beaches, and lively nightlife.
2. Medellín: Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” with cable cars, street art in Comuna 13, and the annual Flower Festival.
3. Bogotá: The capital offers museums like the Gold Museum, Monserrate mountain views, and vibrant street culture.
4. Coffee Region: UNESCO-listed farms, Cocora Valley’s giant wax palms, and authentic rural life.
5. Tayrona National Park: Jungle trails leading to pristine Caribbean beaches.
6. Caño Cristales: The “River of Five Colors,” a natural wonder best seen June–November.
7. Amazon (Leticia): Rainforest adventures, river cruises, and indigenous communities.
8. La Guajira: Desert landscapes meeting turquoise seas, home to the Wayuu people.

Experiences Filipinos will enjoy

• Street food tours: Arepas, empanadas, and bandeja paisa.
• Festivals: Barranquilla Carnival (Feb), Medellín Flower Festival (Aug), Cali Fair (Dec).
• Adventure: Hiking Cocora Valley, Lost City Trek, whale watching on the Pacific coast.
• Culture: Colonial towns like Villa de Leyva, salsa nights in Cali, and indigenous heritage in the Amazon.

? SEE ALL THINGS TO DO IN COLOMBIA →

Colombia Itinerary for Filipinos

Since I am a digital nomad and traveling slow, I was in Colombia twice for 90 days (enjoying the visa-free benefit for Filipinos). Now some of you reading this blog aren’t digital nomads, so ideally, I would recommend at least 10 days in Colombia.

My trick is to also explore by region. You cannot possibly explore the whole country in 10 days. It’s exhausting and you’re going to have to travel a lot, instead of really enjoying the places.

Here are my recommended itinerary for Colombia for Filipinos that I divided by region:

Got it — let’s build your itineraries by area, so readers can see how to spend time in each region of Colombia. This way, Filipinos can choose whether they want a shorter 2-week trip or a longer 1-month immersion.

Andean Region (Bogotá, Medellín, Coffee Triangle)

• Bogotá (3–4 days): Gold Museum, Monserrate, street art tours.
• Medellín (3–4 days): Comuna 13 murals, cable cars, nightlife, Guatapé day trip.
• Coffee Triangle (3–5 days): Salento, Cocora Valley hike, coffee farm tours.

Caribbean Coast (Cartagena, Tayrona, Barranquilla)

• Cartagena (3–4 days): Walled city, Getsemaní neighborhood, Rosario Islands.
• Tayrona National Park (2–3 days): Jungle hikes, beach camping.
• Barranquilla (2–3 days): Carnival in February, local food and music.

Amazon & Pacific

• Leticia (3–4 days): Amazon river cruises, indigenous villages, wildlife spotting.
• Pacific Coast (2–3 days): Whale watching (July–October), surfing, Afro-Colombian culture.

Northern Desert (La Guajira)

• La Guajira (2–3 days): Desert dunes meeting turquoise seas, Wayuu indigenous culture.

If you really want to get to know Colombia but are pressed for time, I recommend doing the Andean and Caribbean coast together or choosing one from the two.

✈️ Look, Colombia isn’t the kind of place you ‘wing it.’ It’s chaos wrapped in beauty — beaches, jungles, cities that never sleep. And if you don’t plan it right, you’ll end up broke, lost, or stuck in a bus for 12 hours wondering why you didn’t ask for help. I’ve done Colombia twice, maxed out the full 90 days each time, and I know the hacks, the traps, and the magic. So stop Googling random blogs. Let’s plan your Colombia itinerary together and actually make it worth your time!
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Costs of travel to Colombia for Filipinos

A trip to Colombia for Filipinos typically costs between ₱3,800–₱5,600 per day for budget to mid-range travelers, excluding airfare.

Flights from Manila to Bogotá average ₱37,000–₱55,000 one-way, while roundtrip fares can reach ₱81,000–₱95,000 depending on season.

Here is a realistic sample Colombia for Filipinos travel cost (without the flights):

Personally, I feel like the travel costs in Manila and Bogota (Colombia’s capital) are the same. I actually find Manila more expensive sometimes, so the highest cost for traveling to Colombia for Filipinos is the flights.

Filipino culture vs Colombian culture

Many Filipinos ask me why I keep coming to Colombia (and stay for 90 days) and this is one of the reasons: our Filipino culture is not so far from the Colombian culture.

Even the places look like you are in the Philippines (but of course, the experience is different because of culture). For example, when I landed in Bogota, it felt like I was in Manila.

Cartagena is like a mix of Intramuros and Boracay (at the same time!), while Medellin is like Baguio or the Mountain Province.

The people are also very warm and super friendly (like us!) so I didn’t really feel strange. I felt so much at home and I wasn’t scared.

Note that apart from being a digital nomad, I also travel alone as a woman so this cultural comfort is very important when it comes to safety. I promise you, you won’t feel weird or harmed. It really is just like our country!

Visa-free countries to combine with Colombia for Filipinos

If you are already spending for a long-haul expensive flight, you might want to consider visiting other visa-free countries for Filipinos in South America, next to Colombia, which are Ecuador and Peru.

You can easily cross the border from Colombia to Ecuador (like I did) or if you don’t have a lot of time, flying is quite affordable. We need a visa in Ecuador (e-Visa) and it’s very easy to apply.

However, you may need more time for Peru (I spent 1 year in Peru, OMG!) because there are really a lot of places to see! For Peru, Philippine passport holders can stay up to 163 days.

Either way, if you’re happy with just visiting Colombia, save the others for later!

Video: Travel Guide to Colombia for Filipinos