Travelling to Colombia with Colombian pesos (COP) in your pocket spares you plenty of unpleasant surprises: outside the major cities, cash remains king and small denominations make all the difference. Here is how to prepare your currency exchange in Paris with complete peace of mind.
The Colombian peso (COP), a currency of large numbers
The Colombian peso is Colombia's official currency. Its distinctive feature is obvious from your very first withdrawal: amounts are expressed in tens of thousands. A coffee can cost a few thousand pesos, a meal several tens of thousands. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 pesos, while coins are mainly used for small everyday purchases.
The peso is a floating-rate currency: its value against the euro varies every day according to the markets. There is therefore no fixed parity, and the rates you see displayed change constantly. This volatility makes it worthwhile to compare before exchanging, but it should not worry you for a typical travel budget.
In Colombia, cash is king outside the major cities
In Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena, bank cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and major retailers. But as soon as you leave the urban centres, the reality changes radically. In the coffee region (Eje Cafetero), on the Caribbean coast, in Andean villages or in the Amazon, many shops, local transport services, markets and small lodgings only operate in cash.
ATMs (cajeros) exist in the cities, but they become scarce in rural areas, can be out of service, and often apply high withdrawal fees as well as a fairly low limit per transaction. Relying solely on your card means risking getting stuck where no machine works. Hence the value of arriving with a reserve of pesos already exchanged, and topping up on site according to your real needs.
Safety: favour small denominations
The traveller's golden rule in Colombia can be summed up in one sentence: always carry small change. Large 50,000 or 100,000 peso notes are hard to get accepted for small purchases, and many vendors have no way of giving change. Asking to break a large note also exposes you unnecessarily to onlookers.
A few simple habits will enhance your peace of mind:
- Spread your money across several places: pocket, bag, travel belt, hotel safe.
- Never pull out a wad of cash in public; keep the day's spending money separate.
- Favour 10,000 and 20,000 peso notes for everyday expenses.
- Keep a small reserve of euros or dollars as a backup, in a separate place.
As for regulations, be aware that on entering or leaving the European Union, any sum in cash equal to or above €10,000 must be declared to customs. For a normal travel budget you are well below this threshold, but the information is good to know.
Exchanging your pesos in Paris before departure
Preparing your currency exchange from Paris means leaving with a clear mind and avoiding airport bureaux, which are often poor value. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you exchange your euros commission-free, in our single shop at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel (75005), in the heart of the Latin Quarter and directly accessible via the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B/C.
The Colombian peso is one of the less common currencies that travellers request on an occasional basis. To be sure of having your banknotes on the day, the best option is to order your currency online in advance: you reserve the amount you want, we prepare the denominations, and all that remains is to come and collect them in the shop. This reservation guarantees availability, which is particularly useful for a currency like the COP that is not always immediately in stock.
Our shop is open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm, Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm), with more than 53 currencies on offer. You can therefore schedule your visit just before departure, weekends included.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to exchange euros in Paris or withdraw on site?
The most prudent approach is to set off with an initial reserve of pesos exchanged in Paris, then top up occasionally on site. This way you avoid depending on ATMs in rural areas and their often high fees.
Which denominations should I request for Colombia?
Favour a mix geared towards small and medium denominations (10,000 and 20,000 pesos), which are easier to use day to day. You can specify your preference when making your reservation.
Is the Colombian peso always available in the shop?
As the COP is a less common currency, we recommend reserving it online in advance to guarantee the availability of the banknotes on the day of your collection.
Ready for Colombia? Plan your budget ahead and order your currency now, then come and collect your pesos at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, commission-free and 7 days a week.
