There is a wide variety of property available to rent in Colombia. The monthly cost of renting will vary a great deal depending upon the size and location of the property that you are interested in. A small apartment in Bogota in a sought after area may set you back the equivalent of US$2000 each month and a beach front villa with 3 or more bedrooms will be considerably more. It is possible, however, to find more affordable accommodation.

A studio apartment can be less than US$200 a month and those with 1 or 2 bedrooms may be found for as little as US$300. This does depend upon the area you are searching in and the availability of property at the time. Rental properties are available both furnished and unfurnished, though ‘unfurnished’ can mean several different things. Some unfurnished properties provide only floor coverings and curtains and no kitchen appliances, while others will include a fridge and cooker too. Furnished apartments will provide all basic furniture and appliances though some landlords will include a television.

The tenancy agreement will set out clearly the obligations of both the tenant and the landlord. Some rentals may include the utility bills in the cost of the rent, although this is rare and it is more likely that the tenant will have to pay these separately, especially where the property is already reasonably priced. Having utilities connected is fairly straightforward and the estate agent or landlord should be able to help or at least talk you through the process.

It is important to ensure you have carefully read the tenancy agreement before you sign it. Most landlords will expect a month’s rent in advance along with a deposit, although this will vary. If you are renting when you first arrive in the country you may be asked to pay several months in advance. This will also depend upon the landlord.

Many people have domestic help in Colombia and it is relatively easy to find. There are a number of agencies in the major cities which can recruit staff for you, although asking friends and neighbours for recommendations can work equally well.

There are some areas of the major towns which are more attractive to expats than other but there are no specific communities where they live. Expats are made to feel welcome if they make the effort to integrate into society and to converse in Spanish with the Colombians.