Taxis & Rideshare in Colombia (2026) - Grab, Uber & More
Taxis and rideshare in Colombia: local taxi apps, Uber, Grab, typical fares, and tips for safe, affordable rides around Colombia.
Safety Tips
In Colombia, every licensed taxi is painted yellow by national law. If the car is not yellow, it is an unlicensed "taxi pirata" and you should walk away. Before you sit, glance for the driver's tarjeta de operación with photo posted inside the cab.
Colombian taxis must use a taxímetro in major cities. If the driver claims the meter is broken or wants to agree on a price, step out and flag another cab. Meter refusal is the classic setup for overcharging visitors.
Uber and InDrive dominate rideshare use among locals. Cabify also runs in Bogotá and Medellín. All three display your route and driver details before you board. This beats the anonymity of street taxis.
Colombia records a scam called "paseo millonario". Street taxis, at night, drive victims to ATMs under pressure. Solo or night travelers should book through an app or call a radio-taxi dispatch. Never hail from the curb.
Common Scams to Avoid
The "paseo millonario" or millionaire's ride is well documented, most common in Bogotá. A fake taxi, sometimes with armed accomplices inside, forces passengers to withdraw cash at several ATMs before release. Local advice is unanimous: never hail from the street. Use Cabify, InDrive, or a radio-taxi dispatched by phone. The driver's identity is logged before you enter.
In Bogotá, meters (taxímetros) are mandatory. Yet drivers often "forget" to start the meter for tourists. They then quote an inflated flat fare at the end. Insist the meter is on before the wheels turn. Or lock in a price using an app that shows the estimated fare.
Counterfeit change is common across Colombia's big cities. Drivers break a large note and hand back fake 20,000- or 50,000-peso bills. Carry small notes so you rarely need change. Check returned bills under light. Real pesos carry a clear security thread and colour-shifting ink.