Living in Colombia

Colombia has significantly different lifestyles in each region. Five cities have a population of at least one million: Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. The main cities offer beaches and business, while many smaller cities and towns create a sizable network. Life in Colombia incorporates elements from colonial Spain with Caribbean and American influences. Colombia today is a modern global culture.

Etiquette: As with other Latin American countries, Colombians tend to be quite comfortable socially, shaking hands and kissing in greetings. Meals are eaten with some formality, including cutting fruits with knife and fork, and some food left on the plate when finished. Higher-class Colombians, and lower-class Colombians in the interior, prioritize respectful social interactions. Eye contact in general is quite helpful, in social and business settings. Body language is very important in Colombia, where social interactions communicate meaningful information indirectly.

Recreation: Dancing is extremely popular in Colombia, with dozens of local and imported styles. Furthermore, people around the world celebrate the beauty of Colombian women, and the national beauty queen pageant is a major event. For communication, most Colombians speak only Spanish, so it can be valuable to learn the language.

With so much environmental variety, Colombia has a lot to experience. From its geology to the abundant plant and animal forms, the natural side of Colombia stands strongly in the country's identity. Colombia has a festive culture with many celebrations, including Carnivals. The country also takes patriotic pride in its independence day, which is a big holiday.

Finance: The Colombian peso trades at approximately 3,300 to one US dollar. One peso is equivalent to one hundred centavos. The cost of living in Colombia is about half of that in the US, making it considerably higher than other South American countries. A bus ticket costs less than one US dollar.

Emergency: For police assistance, simply dial 123.