Getting Colombian Pesos
Colombia has transformed into one of South America's most popular travel destinations, offering incredible diversity from Caribbean beaches to Andean highlands and Amazon jungle. The Colombian Peso (COP) is the only currency you'll need, though the large denominations can take some getting used to - you'll regularly handle notes in the tens of thousands.
The good news is that Colombia has a modern, reliable banking system. ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas, card acceptance is growing rapidly, and the country is very welcoming to foreign visitors. With the right approach, managing your money in Colombia is straightforward.
Best Ways to Get Colombian Pesos
There are several options for getting Colombian Pesos, each with different advantages depending on your travel style:
ATM withdrawals with Wise or Revolut - The most convenient option for most travellers. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees to withdraw Pesos from ATMs in Colombia. You'll get competitive exchange rates and can access cash as needed. Bancolombia, Banco de Bogotá, and Davivienda have extensive ATM networks.
Using your debit card directly - Card acceptance has improved significantly in Colombian cities. Many restaurants, hotels, shops, and supermarkets accept Visa and Mastercard. This reduces your need for cash, though you'll still want some Pesos for markets, street food, and smaller establishments.
Exchange USD cash in Colombia - While US Dollars aren't commonly accepted for purchases, you can exchange them at authorised casas de cambio (exchange offices); several banks deal in dollars only for their own customers. Each house sets its own rate, so compare two or three. Never change money on the street: the FCDO warns against it, and in March 2026 the tax agency DIAN warned that street dealers may pass forged notes. Bring crisp, undamaged bills.
Order Pesos before you travel - UK exchange services can provide Colombian Pesos, though rates are typically poor due to the currency being less commonly traded. This is only worthwhile if you want a small amount for immediate arrival expenses.
Using Cards in Colombia
Card acceptance in Colombia is good in major cities and tourist areas, though it varies by location. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while American Express has more limited acceptance.
Where cards work well: Hotels, upmarket restaurants, shopping malls, large supermarkets (Éxito, Carulla, Jumbo), chain stores, tourist attractions with ticket offices, and most businesses in areas like Bogotá's Zona Rosa or Cartagena's walled city.
Where you'll need cash: Street food vendors, local markets, small neighbourhood shops, tiendas (corner stores), taxis hailed in the street (the FCDO advises booking one by app or phone or via your hotel, and the El Dorado airport taxi kiosk takes card prepayment), smaller towns, budget hostels, and local buses.
It's also worth having a backup card as occasionally cards get declined or machines malfunction.
ATM Tips for Colombia
Colombian ATMs are generally reliable, but it's important to use them safely and smartly:
Where to withdraw: Use ATMs inside banks, shopping malls, or supermarkets. Bancolombia has the largest network and their ATMs are consistently reliable. Banco de Bogotá, Davivienda, and BBVA are also good options. Avoid standalone ATMs on the street.
Withdrawal limits: Limits vary by bank and card and are shown on screen. You can usually make multiple withdrawals, though you may need to re-enter your card.
ATM fees: Colombian machines charge foreign cards a fee for each withdrawal, and the amount varies, so check it on screen before you accept. Your UK bank may also charge a fee unless you're using a fee-free card like Wise or Revolut.
Safety: Withdraw during daylight hours, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid counting money openly. If the ATM looks tampered with or someone is hovering nearby, find another machine.
Decline DCC: Always choose to be charged in Colombian Pesos, not your home currency. This avoids Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) which uses poor exchange rates.
Money Tips by Destination
Bogotá: The capital has excellent banking infrastructure. ATMs are everywhere, card acceptance is good, and authorised exchange houses are easy to find in the visitor districts. The Zona T and Zona Rosa areas are very card-friendly.
Medellín: Colombia's second city is modern and well-connected. El Poblado neighbourhood has abundant ATMs and most restaurants accept cards. The metro system only accepts rechargeable cards, which you can top up with cash at stations.
Cartagena: Vendors in the old town and at beaches often prefer cash, and prices must be in pesos: the consumer regulator says nothing may be charged in dollars. Taxi fares are set by city decree (2026 minimum COP 12,250, with a COP 1,100 night surcharge between 7 pm and 5 am). Rosario Islands boats depart from Muelle La Bodeguita, where a national-park entry tax is collected, and every visitor must hold the park's mandatory accident cover before landing.
Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero): Smaller towns like Salento and Filandia are more cash-dependent. Withdraw what you need in Pereira or Armenia before heading to smaller villages. Card acceptance is limited outside main tourist areas.
Caribbean Coast: Places like Santa Marta and Palomino vary in card acceptance. Beach clubs and hostels often prefer cash. Make sure you have enough Pesos before heading to Tayrona National Park or more remote coastal areas.
San Andrés: This Caribbean island has good tourist infrastructure and reasonable card acceptance, but bring enough cash as ATMs can run out during busy periods.
Tipping in Colombia
Tipping culture in Colombia is relaxed but appreciated. Many restaurants suggest a "propina voluntaria" (voluntary service tip) of up to 10% on the bill. Under consumer rules in force since November 2022 the waiter has to check with you first, and you are free to decline it or alter the amount.
Restaurants: If no service charge is added, 10% is standard for good service. For casual meals or street food, tipping isn't expected.
Taxi drivers: Tipping isn't expected, but rounding up to the nearest COP 1,000 or adding COP 2,000-3,000 is appreciated for good service or help with luggage.
Spa and personal services: 10-15% is customary for massage therapists and hairdressers.
Best Exchange Options for COP
Top providers by category:
Bancolombia
Largest Colombian bank. ATMs everywhere.
Davivienda
Major bank with good coverage.
Casas de Cambio
Licensed exchange houses in city centres.
Bogotá Airport
Multiple options available.
Street Changers
Risky: DIAN warns of forged notes. Use an authorised casa de cambio.
Compare COP Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Colombian Pesos are the only money you will need, and the notes run into the tens of thousands, which takes some getting used to. For most travellers the most convenient source is a cash machine, used with a card that adds no foreign transaction fees. Ordering Pesos in the UK suits only a small arrival sum, as rates are usually poor for a less widely traded currency.
Yes, in cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are widely taken at hotels, upmarket restaurants, malls, large supermarkets, chain stores and ticketed attractions, and most businesses in districts such as Zona Rosa in Bogotá or the walled city of Cartagena accept them; American Express is less useful. Carry Pesos for street food, markets, corner tiendas, local buses, budget hostels and smaller towns, and keep a backup card handy.
Not for spending: US dollars are not commonly accepted for purchases, so you will need Pesos. You can change dollars at an authorised casa de cambio, comparing a few as rates differ, though several banks change dollars only for their own customers. Never use street changers, which the FCDO warns against and which the tax agency DIAN said in March 2026 may pass forged notes; carry crisp, undamaged bills.
Use machines inside banks, shopping malls or supermarkets during daylight, and skip standalone ones on the street. Bancolombia has the largest network and consistently reliable machines, with Banco de Bogotá, Davivienda and BBVA also good. Each foreign-card withdrawal carries a fee that varies, so read the screen before accepting, pick Colombian Pesos rather than your home currency, and move on if a machine looks tampered with.
Tipping is relaxed but appreciated. Many restaurants propose a voluntary service tip, the propina voluntaria, of up to 10%; under consumer rules dating from November 2022 the waiter must ask first and you can refuse or change the amount, and casual meals or street food need no tip. Taxi drivers do not expect anything, though rounding the fare up to the nearest COP 1,000 is welcome.
Yes. Coffee Region towns such as Salento and Filandia are more cash-dependent, so withdraw in Pereira or Armenia beforehand; on the Caribbean coast beach clubs and hostels around Santa Marta and Palomino often prefer cash, and you should stock up before Tayrona National Park. In Cartagena the old-town and beach vendors often prefer cash, and on San Andrés the ATMs can run dry at busy times.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Brazil
Peru
Mexico