Where do I see Colombia in 2025 as an Expat destination, and what changes do I feel coming?
DISCLAIMER: I am not investing a bunch of “respaldo” or link-based evidence to what I am saying in this article – it is an editorial and not a full journalistic investigation. My motivation is to give YOU a perspective about what seems likely for expats based on my 12 going on 13 years of living here. Take it or leave it but don’t try to criticize one small detail unless you first step back and look at the whole picture of what I am trying to say about Colombia in 2025.
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Is Change on the Horizon? Colombia in 2025
I am very non-politically motivated. There is no political party that excites me or makes me want to vote – I vote with my feet. Politics will influence the outcome of what I am going to write here, but I am very uninterested in arguing about whether the red gang or the blue gang is right.
Changes are coming.
Colombia is at a pivotal point in history.
I’m glad I waited to publish this because January has been a ride!!!
Petro and Trump had a tiff resulting in a threat of tariffs and the kind of pressure that could have collapsed our economy. As expected, Petro capitulated and life goes on. The fallout was hundreds of Colombians losing appointments at the embassy. With very little political interest, we really hope that this is the last time we see these types of threats thrown around because it can very quickly affect many Americans living in Colombia not to mention the locals.
The ideal scenario is that Colombia retains neutrality and can broker both in the dollar and in commodities from other nations. According to David Dubyne with Adapt 2030 on YouTube in a recent video called “What Just Happened to America,” the idea is put forth that the US is going to see continued inflation and massive decrease in imports from China while BRIC countries continue to transact with commodities and gold backed currencies instead of using the Petro Dollar.
This could open the door to favorable export prices for Colombian products including coffee and minerals, which can, in turn, positively affect the economy.
It will definitely drive continued migration of economic refugees from developed countries to Colombia. Which means that visas will continue to be relatively difficult to qualify for and obtain if you do not meet certain economic and health insurance requirements.
Why are people still coming here even with the increased requirements?
Because Colombia in 2025 is still worth it!
Realistically, Colombia will continue to struggle with continued inflation and export businesses will require expert knowledge and finesse with bureaucratic channels in order to create profit. I do not claim to be that expert but I have had some personal experiences working with companies that export commodities, I can give an educated opinion or at the very least create connections as needed.
As expats, the best situation is to avoid doing business in the local economy. The ideal situation is still income from the exterior in US dollars, Euros or British Pounds. There are cultural hurdles to working in Colombia.
Don’t obsess too much about the political stuff. As they say here “Colombia es la finca de los Estados Unidos.” Colombian policy is tied to American policy decisions for better or for worse until we break away completely or continue in the same track as previously. Don’t ask me which is the better option – the answer delves into too much political crap to really justify messing with.
I don’t see Colombia as ever being completely hostile to expats like Venezuela where any first world civilian could have kidnap value and is pretty much off limits for Americans/Europeans etc. That being said, we are at a low point in what seems to be a 10 year cycle where Colombia gets more dangerous for a while. Discretion is a great practice in order to help lower risk.
Colombia is ultimately going to continue to become safer in more areas, if our industry and export potential continues to grow. Some of the biggest hurdles that Colombia still faces is lack of education and low levels of English.
Spanish is a must-do for anyone who wants to come here, even if just a ton of vocab that you can use to transact.
Colombia in 2025 is going to see some drama. It won’t necessarily be football or music related – but more political in nature. Look past the pop culture distractions and spend time on the street talking to locals. Don’t believe 90% of what you see in the press unless you were there and saw it with your own eyes.
Be sure to find a hobby if you are living here even part time. Common interests will always help you get closer to local happenings. 2025 is a great year to avoid mass tourism destinations and go to smaller, lesser known places where your experience will probably be a lot safer and more interesting.
Be very defensive in all your travel strategies as local economies continue to struggle. Election results can affect this drastically, but won’t be felt until 2026 or 2027. I think Colombia will be safe and prosperous or in a Venezuelan style ruin by 2030. I am throwing my dice that we will take the safe and prosperous route, but it won’t happen overnight.
Continued migration by expats isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Colombian economy. It might prop our economy up in a big way if we can spread that capital around a bit more outside of Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota – the three biggest economic powerhouses of Colombia.
Did I mention finding a hobby? If nothing else it will help you balance out the massive changes we might see next year for better or for worse. I am pretty indifferent to Trump as the American president – if you must know. It doesn’t mean I support Kamala either. Why are we having to pick between a red elephant and a blue donkey? It’s rhetorical, but
I digress. I don’t vote. My opinion matters very little and I am not here for a soap box speech. Seriously, we all need to balance our lives with exercise and hobbies to keep from getting too wrapped up in only one thing, or one person, or one ideology. Get out. Travel. Take risks.
And, if anything I said resounds with your vibration – shoot me an email and tell me your thoughts about Colombia in 2025. Email me at coffeeaxistravel@gmail.com. Definitely let me know if you need translation assistance, real estate market info or you need to drink a coffee with someone who has been in Colombia continuously over a decade.
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The end of the year has been busy and I ran behind on getting out new episodes – which I promise will improve after January 1st of 2025!! I am also investing funds I earn at another job back into Coffee Axis Travel as part of my commitment to YOU!
Now you have my Colombia in 2025 outlook. I tried to keep it as positive and realistic as possible without getting into politics. I didn’t quite succeed 100%. But I do sincerely believe that Colombian President Gustavo Petro hasn’t been as good, or as bad as everyone thought he was/would be. I do still believe that Colombia has unique opportunities for people who are serious about living a new life in a cheaper country that can give us a high quality lifestyle.
Remember, if you BUY LOCAL and SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES, you will definitely make a HUGE difference here, there or anywhere that you go. Source your food from local farms, visit shops that sell locally made artisan crafts, find a local coffee brand or producer who you can buy from monthly. Together we can make a difference and help create strong local economies that will survive anything that is thrown at us.
Ask yourself this – “How can I support local economies with my spending – without sacrificing quality or time?” Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to find out the answer!
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If you are still reading this article – Thank you. I write for you!
Happy Holidays and an Abundant New Year 2025!
