For freelancers and remote workers getting paid in Colombia, the practical question is really two questions: how do you receive money from abroad, and how do you move money around locally once it’s there.
Receiving money from abroad #
Wise is generally the best option for receiving international payments or transferring your own money into Colombia: it uses the real mid-market exchange rate rather than a marked-up one, with transparent, low fees, and deposits directly into a Colombian bank account. Western Union and MoneyGram remain useful specifically for cash pickup (useful if you don’t yet have a Colombian bank account), but their exchange rates and fees are consistently worse than Wise’s for a straightforward bank transfer.
If you’re being paid by a company through a payroll platform (Deel, Remote, etc.), most now offer direct deposit to Colombian banks or to Nequi, Colombia’s dominant mobile wallet, which is often the fastest and cheapest option if it’s available to you.
Local payment apps #
Nequi and DaviPlata are Colombia’s two major mobile payment apps, both allowing instant transfers using just a phone number, no bank branch visit required. Nequi in particular has become close to a de facto local payment standard; many freelancers and small businesses in Colombia prefer receiving Nequi transfers over a traditional bank transfer for everyday transactions. Both require a Colombian phone number and, for full functionality, a cédula de extranjería.
Getting cash #
ATMs inside banks, shopping malls, or large stores like Éxito are safer and generally offer better rates than standalone street ATMs. Colombian ATMs frequently have lower per-withdrawal limits than you might be used to (often COP 300,000 to 600,000 per transaction), so budget for multiple withdrawals with their associated fees rather than assuming one trip covers your cash needs.
What to actually avoid #
Airport currency exchange kiosks consistently offer the worst rates of any option; use them only for immediate small-amount needs, not for exchanging significant sums. Confirm the total cost, rate plus fees, before completing any exchange rather than comparing the headline rate alone.
*Related: Colombian Peso Exchange Rate | Opening a Bank Account in Colombia | Freelance Work in Colombia
