Spiders and snakes during a trip to Colombia – arachnophobia and ophidiophobia concerns

Hi everyone, I know arachnophobes will get why I’m asking this: is it reasonable to hope to travel for a month in this country without running into a tarantula? And a follow-up question—since I’m traveling with a friend who’s terrified of seeing a snake—do you often come across reptiles? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Hi, I spent 2 months in Colombia and never saw a snake or other arachnophobes (too bad for me), but they must exist, as well as scorpions (like in France). Colombia is a really interesting country. Best regards

Hi, if you stay "at high altitude"—for example in Bogotá—you won’t run into any. However, it’s obvious that if you take a flight to the Amazon, you’ll definitely come across snakes or spiders there.

Hi there, If, like most travelers, you're moving from city to city by car or bus, you’ve got very little chance of seeing spiders or snakes. There aren’t any in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena, Santa Marta, etc.—though everyone probably already guessed that! If you venture a little into the jungle, the chances of spotting them go up. I’ve seen some pretty big spiders (didn’t ask their names) and iguanas several times in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, as well as in San Agustín (in the south). I also saw a beautiful green snake in a tree (harmless, according to the locals) near Leticia (Amazonia).

Thanks so much

Thanks so much

Thanks so much

Hello, regarding snakes in rural areas, they are eliminated by farmers and often by the local population who are afraid of them (not everyone). Personally, I came across a coral snake while jogging (they’re quite small but very dangerous). You just have to watch where you step—that’s the basic rule. Otherwise, even in the city, you can come across huge iguanas (I saw one at dawn climbing the metal shutter of a shop in Cereté, Córdoba). They’re afraid of us, so they run away. There are plenty of them on the banks of the Sinú River in Montería, and it’s right in the city center. Best regards.