By Air
Most international visitors fly into El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá (BOG), which handles the majority of international traffic. It's a major hub for Avianca and connects directly to North America, Europe, and the rest of Latin America. Other entry points include José María Córdova Airport in Medellín (MDE), Rafael Núñez Airport in Cartagena (CTG), and Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali (CLO) — useful if you want to begin your trip on the Caribbean coast or in the coffee region.
Direct flights to Bogotá operate from Miami, New York, Madrid, London, Amsterdam, and most major Latin American cities. Flight times from Miami are around three hours; from New York, about five.
Visas
Citizens of most Western European countries, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most Latin American nations do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days in a calendar year). Check with the nearest Colombian consulate if you're unsure about your nationality. Your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining.
By Land
Overland entry is possible from Ecuador (via Ipiales/Rumichaca), Venezuela (via Cúcuta), and Panama, though the Panama land border doesn't technically exist — there is no road through the Darién Gap, and this route is not recommended for safety reasons. Most travellers crossing from Panama do so by boat (Colón to Cartagena) or fly.
The Ecuador crossing at Rumichaca is straightforward and well-used. Coming from Venezuela via Cúcuta has become more unpredictable due to the political situation on the Venezuelan side — check current conditions before attempting it.
By Sea
Cruise ships call at Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla. Cartagena is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean. There are also irregular passenger/cargo boat services from Colón, Panama, to Cartagena for those sailing or backpacking the isthmus.