Our small group tours to Colombia are designed like all of our tours- to be #hasslefree. You can get to Colombia and “turn your brain off” the way that Jenny Desmond, our President and Founder, likes to do. You can also leave your phone at home if you want to enjoy some disconnect while you’re abroad.

If you do elect to bring your phone with you, there are a few apps that might make your trip just that much easier. We recommend downloading them and setting them up before your trip, while you have access to super-fast American Wi-Fi.

1. WhatsApp.

This is the communication and messaging app everyone in Colombia uses, and it’s what our guide will use to communicate with your tour group. He will send flight updates, what to expect for the next day’s forecast, and other helpful info in this group chat. You can also chat with your fellow travelers here. WhatsApp works when you have data or access to wifi. This chat app is a great option if you don’t want to risk any international phone charges (like certain Verizon plans have) and don’t want to take your phone off airplane mode, but still want to stay connected to the group.

2. Uber.

What are the odds you’ll actually need Uber while on one of our group tours to Colombia? Slim to none. However, if you do any adventuring outside of the group itinerary, it’s considerably safer to travel this way than by hailing taxis off the street. Uber runs background checks on all of their drivers and the user ratings system creates some accountability for drivers. Uber is also nice for travelers because the app eliminates any price haggling or gringo-pricing a taxi might subject you to, and the app eliminates the need for you to explain directions in a foreign language.

3. Currency converter.

As of this writing, 1 USD is equal to about 3,700 COP. When I’m doing the math in my head, I generally just divide by 4000 to get a rough cost estimate in USD. However, if you want to be a little more accurate (which is especially useful for larger purchases), I recommend downloading a currency converter you can use offline. I use My Currency Converter and Rates.

BONUS: Rappi App

4. BONUS APP: Rappi.

Rappi is Colombia’s food delivery app, and with it, you can get everything from sushi to ribs to expensive cheese from the grocery store to medicine from your local pharmacy delivered- at almost any time of day. Plus, Rappi is very affordable compared to US-American food delivery apps like Grubhub or UberEats. I love Rappi for when I’ve just arrived in Bogotá after a long travel day and can’t even imagine getting out of bed to get dinner. My favorite Rappi treats are these chocolate-covered frozen raspberries that you can usually get within ten minutes of ordering- que rico!