Best Place to Exchange Money in Bogotá

Where to change money in Bogotá

A casa de cambio needs prior authorisation from the Superfinanciera, the financial regulator, and the tax agency DIAN polices the exchange rules; in March 2026 DIAN warned that street changers may pass forged notes. Each house sets its own rates, so get two or three quotes. Banks are a poor bet, as several deal in dollars only for existing customers.

• Licensed exchange houses in the visitor districts - The tourist board says authorised houses are plentiful in tourist districts, but no single office could be confirmed in two sources. In La Candelaria, Chapinero or Usaquén, use one with a shop front or inside a shopping centre and count the pesos at the counter.

Changing money at the airport

El Dorado (BOG) lists an exchange house in Terminal 1, in international arrivals and on departures pier A, but airport rates are generally worse, the tourist board says, so swap just enough to get you into the city.

Taxi Imperial is the only firm authorised to pick up passengers at the terminal, from lane 1 on the first floor between doors 8 and 10. A kiosk facing the baggage carousels works out the fare in advance and, the airport said in 2024, takes card payment. For 2026 the city set the minimum taxi fare at COP 8,000, with an airport surcharge of COP 8,000 (El Espectador, 28 January 2026).

The cheapest way into town is TransMilenio: route K86 runs from Terminal 1, floor 1, door 2, to Portal El Dorado, and feeder 16-14 leaves from door 4. Both take only a TuLlave card, sold at a kiosk on floor 1 opposite door 1.

ATMs and cards in Bogotá

Bank machines charge foreign cards a fee per withdrawal and published amounts vary, so read the figure on screen before accepting; your UK bank may add its own. The FCDO advises withdrawing in business hours from a machine in a bank branch, supermarket or mall, and warns that express kidnappings are frequent in Colombia. Locally this is called a paseo millonario: the victim is held in a vehicle while accomplices use their cards at cash machines (El Tiempo, February 2026). Book taxis by app, phone or through your hotel, and be wary of a driver who changes route for no reason.

Visa and Mastercard are the cards most widely taken; American Express and Diners Club less often. If a terminal lets you pay in pesos or in pounds, pick pesos. If asked how many cuotas (instalments) to split a credit-card payment into, answer one.

Paying for transport in Bogotá

TransMilenio trunk buses, TransMiZonal buses and the TransMiCable cable car all cost a flat COP 3,550 a trip (TransMilenio, updated 22 April 2026). You pay with a TuLlave card, which costs COP 8,000 and is topped up at stations or digitally. Transfers within 125 minutes are free only on a personalised card; an unregistered card pays the full fare every time.

Card readers are on trial: in January 2026 El Tiempo reported them at Portal Norte, Unicervantes and El Tiempo - Cámara de Comercio, taking Visa and Mastercard cards and phone wallets at the full fare with no free transfers. Foreign cards worked in the 2025 phase, TransMilenio said, but TuLlave is the dependable choice. Bogotá's first metro line is still being built; the mayor's target for the first passengers is 15 March 2028 (El Tiempo, 2 September 2026).

Good to know

• Restaurants may propose a service tip capped at 10 per cent of the bill, but it is voluntary: staff should ask before adding it, and you can refuse it or change the amount (consumer rules in force since November 2022).
• Check-Mig, the online migration form, is optional according to the FCDO and free according to Migración Colombia. Complete it from 72 hours up to one hour before departure and keep the confirmation email to show on arrival.
• Cash worth more than USD 10,000 must be declared to DIAN on entry, the FCDO says, and it advises against carrying large sums.