Colombia for Expats 101℠

Our Colombian Relocation Tours℠ are designed to give a comprehensive view of life in Colombia for prospective expats. These tours combine tourism and cultural immersion with practical orientation focusing on the following topics: • Housing • Cost of living • Prices of everyday items • Safety • Immigration • Social dynamics

Group tours and private tours offer similar experiences and itineraries, but with a few key differences. Group tours are one day longer and accommodate a maximum of 15 participants. Private tours are one day shorter and are limited to a maximum of 3 participants.

Our Colombian Relocation Tours℠ are all-inclusive covering meals, transportation, and a bilingual guide during the tour. Please click here (https://www.mylatinescape.com/tcs-pivacypolicy-servicestcs-coverage)for full details.

To cancel your tour, please send an email to admin@mylatinescape.com (mailto:admin@mylatinescape.com)with "Tour Cancellation" in the subject line as soon as possible. For complete details about cancellations, please click here.(https://www.mylatinescape.com/tcs-pivacypolicy-servicestcs-coverage)

To reschedule your tour, please send an email to admin@mylatinescape.com (mailto:admin@mylatinescape.com)with "Reschedule My Tour" in the subject line as soon as possible. For complete details about reschedulings, please click here.(https://www.mylatinescape.com/tcs-pivacypolicy-servicestcs-coverage)

The refund amount for a cancelled tour is determined by the date the cancellation is received relative to the tour start date: • 90 Days or More Before Tour Start Date (Approximately 3 Months or More): A full refund is provided, minus processing and bank fees, or a credit can be issued.  • 89 to 31 Days Before Start Date: (Approximately 1 to 3 Months): A refund is provided, minus 20% of the total tour cost, as well as processing and bank fees, or a credit can be issued.  • 30 Days or Less Before Start Date: No refund is available for cancellations made within this period. We may issue a credit for a future tour on a case-by-case basis.   For complete details about cancellations and refunds, please click here.(https://www.mylatinescape.com/tcs-pivacypolicy-servicestcs-coverage)

We strongly recommend purchasing international travel insurance before visiting Colombia.

Our group tours require all participants to be able to walk unassisted. However, if you require accommodations, please contact us about arranging a private tour. Please click here (https://www.mylatinescape.com/tcs-pivacypolicy-servicestcs-coverage)for full details.

If you have issues with your flight, please contact us immediately via phone or Whatsapp (+57 315-581-4491) and we will try to accommodate you as best as possible.

You have a 10-day window to schedule your initial consulting meeting. If a meeting is not scheduled within this period, and we receive no subsequent communication, we will process a reimbursement, minus processing fees.

You may cancel up to three appointments with less than 24 hours' notice. After exceeding this limit, one hour of consulting time per meeting will be debited from your remaining consulting time.

Our consulting packages are structured around four distinct stages. Stage 1: Determining Suitability The initial stage is dedicated to establishing a realistic timeline for relocating to Colombia. We also conduct a preliminary assessment to identify any potential issues—such as personal preferences, limited income, health conditions, prior criminal history, or relevant personality factors—that could potentially complicate or prevent relocating to Colombia. Stage 2: The Visa Application Process The second stage starts with a consulting meeting to find a visa that aligns with a client's specific requirements and objectives. Subsequently, we provide comprehensive guidance through the visa application process, which is often confusing for first-time applicants. It is highly recommended that this process be finalized prior to relocating to Colombia, as it is time-consuming and necessitates various official documents from the client's home country. Stage 3: Pre-Relocation Preparation The third stage deals with the logistical elements of moving to Colombia in order to ensure long-term success. While this phase encompasses obvious tasks such as packing and securing short-term accommodations, our focus also extends to other critical details that are frequently overlooked. These include establishing a detailed relocation budget, setting up a reliable mail forwarding service, developing emergency contingency plans, etc. Stage 4: Post-Relocation Support The final stage begins upon arrival in Colombia. We provide airport pick-up and transportation to temporary lodging. This is followed by a trip to the grocery store to buy essential supplies for the initial week in the country. The remaining consulting time is then used to provide assistance with crucial life necessities, such as enrolling in healthcare, establishing a bank account, and setting up a mobile phone plan, etc.

Our Relocating to Colombia Consulting Packages℠ include the Good-Fit Guarantee, which offers a partial refund if a client determines that Colombia is not suitable for them.  The following refunds are available under the Good-Fit Guarantee: 1. Clients are eligible for an 85% refund  - During stage 1 (one) of the consulting process - Up to a maximum of 5 (five) hours of consulting time - During the first 30 days of the consulting process 2. Clients are eligible for a 40% refund - During stage 2 (two) of the consulting process - Up to a maximum of 10 (ten) hours of consulting time - During the first 60 days of the consulting process 3. Clients are eligible for a 15% refund - During stage 3 (three) of the consulting process - Up to a maximum of 15 (fifteen) hours of consulting time - During the first 90 days of the consulting process 4. Clients are NOT eligible for a refund under the following conditions: - During stage 4 (four) of the consulting process - Over 15 hours of consulting time

Our goal is to help you successfully relocate to Colombia. Exceptions to this rule are considered on a client-to-client basis.

Our Relocating to Colombia Consulting Packages℠ are only available in the following cities and their surrounding towns: Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Pasto, Pereira, and Popayan. For complete coverage details, please click here.(https://www.mylatinescape.com/sign-up-for-our-series-livingin-colombia-101sm#section27)

No, our Relocating to Colombia Consulting Packages℠ are limited to assisting clients with renting residential property only.

It is rare for United States and Canadian citizens to be denied a Colombian visa, provided all visa requirements are met and all necessary documentation is submitted correctly. Nevertheless, the final decision on all Colombian visa applications rests solely with the Colombian consulate official. In the event of a visa denial, you may be eligible for a partial refund under our Good-Fit Guarantee.

The standard hours provided in each Relocating to Colombia Consulting Package℠ are usually sufficient for the majority of our clients. Should you require more time than initially allotted, additional hours are available for purchase at a special discounted rate.

Yes, all of our Relocating to Colombia Consulting Packages℠ provide assistance renting a residential property. However, our consulting packages do not provide services for purchasing property nor renting commercial property.

Relocating to a new country can be complicated.  However, we constantly find that factors such as certain health conditions, limited income, prior criminal history, and certain personality traits may prevent or complicate relocating to Colombia.

If the legal agreement(s) have not yet been signed, please contact us to request a reimbursement, and a refund will be processed within a maximum of 15 business days, minus processing fees.

You will need a visa if you plan to stay in Colombia long-term or engage in activities other than tourism.

In some upscale neighborhoods of cities such as Cali and Pereira, tap water is safe to drink. However, we generally recommend using a water filter and purchasing bottled water.

Colombia once had a reputation for kidnappings, but these incidents have significantly declined since 2001 (1).  Expatriates now face a higher risk of harm or death from crimes such as robbery or traffic-related incidents. It is important to know that there has been a concerning increase in robberies involving substances such as scopolamine, commonly known as "devil's breath," which is used to drug and incapacitate unsuspecting victims (2).  To learn more about these topics, we recommend reading the first two articles listed below under the section titled "Sources and Further Reading". Additionally, we strongly advise checking the official website of the United States’ State Department, which you can also find under "Sources and Further Reading," for any travel advisories or warnings.

Unlike in Canada and the United States, you do NOT need a vehicle in Colombia. However, most of our clients purchase one because it better fits their lifestyle.

Colombia boasts some of the best medical facilities and professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, its healthcare system can be unnecessarily bureaucratic and slow, often infuriating many expats. Despite these challenges, a 2021 study by the World Health Organization ranked Colombia's healthcare system above that of the United States (4).

There have been reported cases of mosquito-borne illnesses, including yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and zika, in many parts of the country. The risk of these diseases varies by region and is most prevalent in warm, humid, and coastal areas. Effective vaccines are available for both yellow fever and dengue, along with prevention methods that can significantly reduce your chances of contracting these diseases. We strongly recommend consulting your healthcare provider to learn more about vacations and other preventive measures before traveling.

In many regions of Colombia, an average income of $1,500 per month is sufficient to live comfortably. However, some individuals may require a higher income to maintain their desired standard of living. Additionally, relocating and settling in Colombia will result in extra costs beyond regular monthly expenditures.

Colombia faces challenges with police corruption; however, law-abiding Canadian and American expats typically do not encounter issues with the Colombian police or other authorities. It is important to follow the law and have all your necessary paperwork. Most Colombian authorities tend to be understanding toward expats who may inadvertently violate minor rules or regulations.

No, you do not need to open a bank account in Colombia. You can use your credit or debit card to pay for many goods and services and to withdraw cash from ATMs. However, many expats open a bank account for convenience and better exchange rates. If you plan to rely on your debit or credit card, we recommend finding a company that does not charge international transaction fees.

Once you have been approved for a Colombian visa and received your national identification card, known as a cédula, you are eligible to enroll in the national health system. However, some unscrupulous services will sign you up without meeting this criterion, which is against the law and could result in being fined by the Colombian immigration authorities.

A retirement visa is usually the fastest and easiest visa to obtain for most foreign retirees. However, if you want to start a business or enter and exit the country frequently, you may want to consider another type of visa.

Learning Spanish is highly recommended, but many expats live in Colombia without mastering the language. We suggest familiarizing yourself with the basics before arrival and using translation apps to bridge the gaps in your knowledge as you learn.

Expats often experience price gouging when they first arrive in any new country. However, this issue typically diminishes as they become more skilled at bargaining and familiar with the costs of goods and services. Initially, you should avoid informal markets to avoid price gouging. In the medium term, expats may struggle with practical tasks such as budgeting, securing long-term housing, and finding reliable professionals and service providers. Ultimately, the biggest challenges for expats are finding a new social group and adapting to Colombia's complex bureaucratic systems and cultural nuances.

Colombia has one of the lowest living costs in Latin America (5), and most expats find that it offers the best mix of destinations, proximity, healthcare, accessibility, security, physical infrastructure, and housing options for their needs.

"Living in Colombia Like a Millionaire" means that a person can enjoy a middle-class lifestyle in Colombia for a fraction of the cost compared to the United States and Canada. Currently, a retiree in the United States needs approximately $1.8 million USD in a 401(k) to maintain a middle-class lifestyle (6). Additionally, many parts of the United States require a net yearly income of over $100,000 USD to be considered middle class (7).

We provide off-site consulting services nationwide on various topics, including retirement visas, healthcare services, housing, and more. However, our Relocating to Colombia Consulting Packages℠, cover the cities and surrounding areas of Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Pasto, Pereira, and Popayan (check coverage here)(https://www.mylatinescape.com/sign-up-for-our-series-livingin-colombia-101sm#section27).