Colombia
Cards, ATMs and cash in Colombia: what to expect
In cities, yes — hotels, malls, supermarkets and mid-range restaurants usually take Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is common (check). Small shops, market stalls, taxis and rural areas often take cash only. Withdraw at bank-branded ATMs inside branches or malls in daylight, take a larger amount per withdrawal to limit fees, and when a terminal offers to convert to your home currency, check the displayed rate and card terms before deciding.
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- Plan calculated
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GuideColombia
Key facts
- Cards acceptedcheck
- Hotels, malls, supermarkets, mid-range restaurants in cities; patchy in small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas (check)
- Networkscheck
- Visa and Mastercard widely; American Express less so (check)
- Cash still neededcheck
- Yes — keep small notes for taxis, markets and small shops; amount depends on your plans (check)
- ATM feescheck
- Local withdrawal fee plus your own bank's fee; amounts vary by bank (check)
- Withdrawal limitscheck
- Often COP 300,000–600,000 per transaction, sometimes per day (check)
- Currency choice at the terminalcheck
- Compare the displayed rate with your card terms before accepting conversion to your home currency (check)
- Card safetycheck
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls in daylight; cover the keypad; avoid street ATMs at night (check)
- Backup
- Carry a second card kept separately, plus some USD or EUR cash for exchange
Details
Cards are the default in urban Colombia. Chain hotels, shopping malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, larger restaurants and domestic airline websites usually take Visa and Mastercard, and tap-to-pay is normal in Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena (check). American Express is accepted in fewer places, so treat it as a backup rather than your main card.
Where cards stop is predictable: small neighbourhood shops, market stalls, street food, many taxis, buses, rural guesthouses and some tour operators often take cash only (check). In those situations cash is the practical option, and having small notes speeds things up. A workable split is to pay hotels, flights and bigger meals by card, and keep some cash in small notes for the rest — confirm amounts locally as you go.
ATMs are common in cities and larger towns. Bank-branded machines inside branches or malls are the safer choice, especially in daylight. Withdrawal fees and per-transaction limits differ by bank and change over time, so check the screen before confirming; taking a larger amount per withdrawal reduces the number of fees you pay (check). If a machine refuses your card, try another bank rather than the same one again.
At any card terminal you will sometimes be offered a choice between Colombian pesos and your home currency. Compare the rate shown on the screen with your card's own conversion terms before you decide; the terminal rate is not always the better one (check). The same choice appears at some ATMs.
Keep a second card stored separately from your main one, and note your bank's emergency numbers before you fly. Card skimming and distraction theft exist in big cities, so cover the keypad, keep the card in sight, and avoid using an ATM on the street after dark (check).
Summary table
| Situation | Card or cash | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chain hotels, malls, supermarkets | Card | Contactless common in cities (check) |
| Mid-range and upscale restaurants | Card | Check the bill for the 10% propina |
| Small shops, market stalls, street food | Cash | Small notes help (check) |
| Taxis and ride-hailing | Cash for street taxis | Apps usually take cards (check) |
| Rural areas and small towns | Cash | Withdraw before you leave the city (check) |
| ATM withdrawal | Card | Bank or mall ATMs in daylight; fee and limit vary by bank (check) |
| Terminal offers home currency | Compare rates | Check the displayed rate against your card terms (check) |
Tips
- Withdraw a larger amount less often to cut per-withdrawal fees (check).
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls, in daylight, and cover the keypad (check).
- Carry a second card kept somewhere separate from the first.
- Keep some cash in small notes for taxis, markets and small shops; confirm amounts locally (check).
- When a terminal offers a choice, compare the displayed rate with your card terms before deciding (check).
- Tell your bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked.
- Keep receipts and check your statement for unfamiliar charges.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Are credit cards widely accepted in Colombia?
In cities, usually yes: hotels, malls, supermarkets and mid-range restaurants take Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is common (check). Small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas often take cash only, so carry pesos as well.
Which ATMs have the lowest fees in Colombia?
Fees and limits differ by bank and change over time, so check the screen before confirming (check). Bank-branded ATMs inside branches or malls are the safer choice, and withdrawing a larger amount less often cuts the number of fees you pay.
Should I pay in local currency or my own?
Compare the rate shown on the terminal or ATM screen with your card's own conversion terms before deciding (check). The conversion offered at the machine is not always the better rate, so check rather than accept it by default.
How much cash should I carry in Colombia?
Enough small notes to cover taxis, markets, street food and tips for the day; the exact amount depends on your plans (check). Withdraw more before heading to rural areas or small towns, where ATMs are fewer and cards are less accepted.
Is it safe to use ATMs in Colombia?
Use bank-branded machines inside branches or malls, in daylight, and cover the keypad (check). Avoid street ATMs after dark, keep your card in sight, and carry a second card stored separately in case one is blocked or stolen.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check