the uber situation in colombia

Medellin.

Good news for travelers who want to use Uber in Colombia. You can do it!

For those unfamiliar with Uber, it is a ride sharing app that allows anyone to hail a car to get them from point A to point B. While there are plenty of arguments pro and against using Uber (such as the cheaper cost compare to a taxi or how drivers are not as well vetted as taxi drivers), there is no dispute that Uber has been very popular in a lot of communities.

Based on my trip earlier this year, I can report that Uber is available in Colombia.

In Medellin, I found an option for Uber English, which ensured that the driver spoke English. The option came with a bit of a premium (say a $4 ride vs $2) but, it was useful for me (I lack the local language skill) when I wanted to chat, get to know some people and get local recommendations.

Unfortunately, the Uber English option was unavailable in Cartagena and Bogota. That being said, I was still able to get from Point A to Point B with the non-English speaking Uber drivers so long as I had the destination inputted in the Uber App.

Happy travels!