🇨🇴 Colombia — The Passport

Stefan Hoffmann · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Getting a Colombian tax ID (NIT) as a foreigner

For anyone running a business or working as a legal contractor here: you need a NIT. The process: register at the DIAN office in person, bring cédula extranjería + RUT registration + proof of address. Takes about 2 hours if the queue is short. Then your accountant can...

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Rachel Brennan · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Pharmacy basics — what's over-the-counter here vs back home

Quick PSA for new arrivals: a lot of things that need a prescription in the US (some antibiotics, some sleep aids, even some basic asthma stuff) are OTC here. Don't take this as license to self-medicate, but it does mean a quick farmacia visit can solve a lot of small issues...

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Karen Stevens · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Bogotá, Colombia

Why does it rain like THIS in October?

Bogotá has been pouring for 9 of the last 11 days. Is this normal October? Is climate change? Is the city personally targeting me?Asking for everyone newly arrived who thought "spring-like weather" meant "no rain."

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James Patterson · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

183-day rule and US tax residency — practical implications

For Americans considering moving here long-term: the 183-day rule (becoming a Colombian tax resident) is the big inflection point. Once you're a Colombian tax resident, you owe Colombian tax on worldwide income (with US-Colombia treaty offsetting some).Real...

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Amanda Rivera · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

First attempt at arepas from scratch — review

Tried making arepas con queso in my Cartagena apartment. Used pre-cooked harina P.A.N. flour, queso costeño, water, salt. They were fine. Not as good as the lady's at the corner who sells them 5 for 2,000 pesos.Going to keep trying but mostly I'll keep buying hers.

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Rachel Brennan · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Bogotá, Colombia

WIN: Bargained for a queso costeño at Paloquemao market

Went to Paloquemao market on Saturday looking for queso costeño. Asked the price (15,000 COP, full block). Smiled, said "ay no, está caro, ¿no me lo deja en 12?" The vendor laughed, said "para ti, 13," and we shook on it.I felt like a local for exactly 8 seconds. Then I...

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Rachel Brennan · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Working remotely on a tourist visa — is anyone actually doing this and what's the real risk?

I'm here on the M visa now but I have a friend in the US who's planning to come for 6 months on tourist status (PT-1) and just work remotely. I keep telling her this is technically not allowed. What's the actual enforcement reality? Has anyone seen anyone get pushed out?

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