The currency of Colombia is called the Colombian Peso. The current ISO code is COP and the currency symbol is $. 1 peso is made up of 100 centavos.
Individual Centavos are hardly ever used as a means of payment because Centavo’s purchasing power is too low. That is why even the smallest coin has a value of 50 centavos.
This is followed by coins with a value of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos. Banknotes have an even higher value: 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 pesos.
The story of the Colombian peso
The transition from numerous coins from colonial times to a national currency began in 1838. One peso consisted of 8 reales, while two pesos formed an escudo.
In the years 1847-1853 one peso was equal to 10 reales and 1 real consisted of ten decimos de real. In the years 1853-1872 the real and decimo de real were equated in value, so that one peso consisted of 10 reales or decimos de reales.
And only since 1872 has it consisted of 100 centavos, as it does today.
Exchange into local currency
If you do the currency exchange in Colombia, you should do so in a bank if possible. And even if you do the swap in a bank, make sure you get real notes.
It is particularly advisable to withdraw money in the local currency with a credit card from an ATM in a bank, as the cheapest exchange rate is usually calculated.
Bringing euros to Colombia is also a good option, because banks and exchange offices there change euros without any problems. You get the cheapest course on the Caribbean coast of the country.
In general, however, you should pay attention to your own safety and, for example, whether someone is watching you.
Appearance of the notes
The basic color of the note with a value of 2000 Peso is blue. The basic tone of the note with a value of 5000 Pesos in front is brown.
The 10,000 peso note is red and adorned with an image of an elderly lady on the front. The 20,000 peso note is orange-brown on the front and gray-brown on the back.
The 50,000 peso note is purple and has a picture of Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Markes on the front. And the banknote with the highest value is green. In the front is Carlos Lleras Restrepo, the Colombian President from 1966-1970.