Plan to dress for a variety of climates and layer your clothing. The weather changes rapidly in Colombia not only throughout the day, but from region to region. Long sleeved cotton shirts or blouses can be great to layer over a t-shirt, as you can easily shove them into a backpack or tie them around your waist if they day becomes too hot.
Bring a light sweater, jacket or fleece for cool Colombian evenings in Cali, Cartagena, or Bucaramanga. If you are planning a trip to Bogotá, Popayan or Pasto, bring something a bit warmer, like wool or heavy fleece, as the evening hours can be quite cold.
Dress in your most stylish evening wear, if you plan to take advantage of the vibrant nightlife that fashionable metropolises like Bogotá have to offer. Much of Colombia is quite fashion conscience, especially in its larger cities, so try to look your best and avoid dressing too casually.
Wear comfortable shoes, especially when traveling in smaller cities and villages, as the streets are often made from rough paving stones and are not kind to sandals. If you are planning to trek into the jungle, bring hiking boots.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes when traveling to the Amazonian region, by wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs. It is possible to purchase laundry detergent with insect repellent. While not necessary for all of Colombia, you may want to consider this option when trekking into the jungle.
Avoid shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes and stained or ripped clothing, especially in smaller towns. These items will make you stick out as a foreigner and could make you an easy target for thieves and kidnappers. You should avoid wearing expensive and flashy jewelry and watches as these will also make you a prime target for criminals.
