Colombia is one of those magical places where you’ll need a bikini, a sweater, and a rain jacket — all in the same suitcase. From the sunny beaches of San Andrés to the cool, misty mountains of Bogotá, packing smart is essential.
After my own adventure hopping between Caribbean coasts, lush coffee towns, and vibrant cities, I’ve put together this practical Colombia packing guide — with real tips, a dash of flair, and links to the travel essentials I used and loved.
☀️ What’s the Weather Like in Colombia?
Colombia doesn’t do “one-season-fits-all.” Depending on your route, you’ll need to prepare for:
- Hot & Humid: Cartagena, Santa Marta, San Andrés
- Rain-prone & Cloudy: Medellín, Minca
- Cool & Mountainous: Bogotá, Salento
Your best bet? Pack layers. Lightweight, quick-dry clothes for the coast, comfy warm layers for the mountains, and something waterproof for surprise showers.
🧕 Style & Modesty: What to Wear Where
In bigger cities and beach towns, anything goes — shorts, tank tops, flowy dresses. But in smaller towns like Minca or Salento, you’ll blend in more and feel more comfortable in modest, neutral-toned outfits.
A long skirt or dress, a lightweight scarf, and a cute linen top can go a long way — and won’t make you look like a lost tourist who just left the beach.
✈️ Don’t Forget Your Travel Day Staples
Flying into Bogotá or Medellín? Long-haul flights are a vibe (and not always a good one).
Here are a few essentials I swear by:
- Noise-cancelling headphones – For crying babies and chatty seatmates
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated without begging the flight attendants
- Face mist + moisturizer – Bring your skin back to life after 8 hours of airplane air
- Lip balm, hand sanitizer, and a travel pillow – The holy trinity of comfort
🧳 Want my full long-haul flight list?
➡️ Check out my Long-Haul Travel Essentials Packing Guide here
🔥 My Top 10 Must-Have Items for Colombia
Let’s keep it short and sweet. These saved me time, stress, and wardrobe meltdowns:
1. Compression packing cubes – Because chaos in your suitcase is not the vibe
2. Light jacket – Bogotá will humble your sundress energy
3. Reusable water bottle – Especially handy in hotter coastal towns
4. Bug spray + AfterBite – Minca? Tayrona? Mosquitoes don’t care that you’re cute
5. Waterproof phone case – For island-hopping, waterfall-chasing, and not panicking
6. Microfiber towel – Dries fast, packs small, beach-to-hostel MVP
7. Daypack / small backpack – For hiking, day trips, and navigating cobblestone streets
8. Electrolyte packs – Hydration, but make it fun
9. Sunhat + SPF face stick – The sun hits different in Cartagena
10. Stylish but walkable sandals – Trust me, your feet will thank you in Santa Marta
🛍 Want the FULL Packing List?
There’s no need to squint at screenshots or rewrite this post into your Notes app.
🧾 I created a detailed, printable-friendly Colombia packing list — complete with affiliate links for 🇨🇦 Canadian and 🇺🇸 U.S. travellers — that you can save, shop, and check off as you go.
🎒 Click below to open the full list in a new tab:
👉 View My Full Colombia Packing List
👉 View My Long-Haul Flight Essentials Packing List
🧠 Final Packing Tips Before You Go
- Pack a spare outfit in your carry-on — because luggage roulette is real
- Planes are cold, then hot, then cold again — dress like a lasagna (in layers)
- Store all your go-to items in a travel bin at home — I never repack from scratch
- Buy extra minis of your skincare, deodorant, and toothpaste so you’re always ready
💌 Bonus: Want the Colombia Packing List as a Downloadable PDF?
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