Discover how to choose the best pet-friendly hotels in Colombia, with concrete examples from Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena, typical pet policies, fees, and practical tips for traveling with your dog.
We selected this hideaway for its uncommonly intimate setting: four thatched-roof cabins strung along a river in Colombia's Coffee Triangle, with a spa, pool, and two bars that punch well above the property's small scale. Refugio Monte Oscuro sits in...
What won us over is the setting: Hotel Madeira Boutique sits eleven kilometres from Hacienda Nápoles, the sprawling former estate turned safari park where Colombia’s wild hippo population — descendants of Pablo Escobar’s private zoo — still roams the Magdalena...
Our pick here comes down to longevity: Las Acacias has been welcoming families into its gardens and around its pool for more than fifty-five years, in the same quiet corner of San Sebastián de Mariquita, the colonial town where Spain’s...
Our pick here comes down to the San Carlos River itself, running past a cluster of simple rooms where titi monkeys and otters show up more reliably than room service. The finca built its name on hydrohiking the river, hiking...
We were drawn to how personal this small Salento guesthouse stays, even steps from the plaza where every other building has turned into a hostel or a coffee shop. The owner runs it directly, pours the morning coffee, and will...
What we like about this finca is that the water is not a pool with a view but a pond you swim in, reached along a boardwalk, with a small beach at one end. Atha Ka'i sits in the hills...
Dog bowls on polished stone floors in Bogotá, cats sunning themselves on shaded patios in Medellín, a sleepy pup dozing under a palm in Cartagena’s Getsemaní district. Colombia has quietly become one of the most welcoming countries in South America for travelers who refuse to leave their animals behind.
The appeal is twofold. Urban centers such as Medellín and Bogotá have a strong café and park culture where pets are part of daily life, while coastal and countryside regions offer space, trails, and warm weather that suit longer walks and outdoor dinners with a leash at your feet. For a guest arriving with a pet, the difference between a merely tolerant hotel and a genuinely friendly hotel is obvious within minutes of check-in.
For most travelers, a pet friendly hotel in Colombia is a good choice if you value outdoor time, relaxed service, and a social atmosphere. It suits couples and families traveling with dogs, digital nomads staying more than a night or two, and even the solo traveler who prefers a property where staff greet your animal by name. If you expect rigid formality or a hushed, ultra-private environment, you will need to choose carefully and verify the tone of each property before you book.
Parque El Poblado in Medellín, with its leafy square and cluster of cafés along Calle 10, is one of the most convenient areas to base yourself with a dog. Many friendly hotels here are located close to small parks and tree-lined streets, so early-morning walks feel safe and pleasant. When you check availability in hotels in Medellín, look for properties within walking distance of green spaces rather than directly on the noisiest nightlife blocks.
In this part of the city, for example, Diez Hotel Categoría Colombia and Sites Hotel Medellín typically accept dogs up to around 15–20 kg with a nightly supplement and require pets to remain on a leash in public areas, while The Charlee Hotel near Parque Lleras has historically limited animals to specific room categories and charges a one-time cleaning fee. Policies change, but these concrete examples show how three hotels in the same neighborhood can interpret “pet friendly” differently, from weight limits to where dogs can accompany you.
Bogotá offers a different rhythm. In the Zona G and Quinta Camacho neighborhoods, elegant townhouses hide quiet gardens where a hotel pet policy may be more flexible than you expect, especially for small dogs. The altitude and cooler climate mean shorter midday walks, but long, comfortable strolls in the late afternoon. For guests who want culture, galleries, and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk, this is a strong choice.
Here, properties such as Four Points by Sheraton Bogotá, EK Hotel, and Hotel bh Parque 93 have, in recent years, allowed one or two dogs per room with a combined weight cap that often falls between 10 and 20 kg, plus a nightly or per-stay fee. Most require proof of up-to-date rabies and distemper vaccinations at check-in and restrict animals from breakfast rooms, gyms, and spa areas, even when they are otherwise very welcoming to pets in lobbies and terraces.
On the Caribbean coast, Cartagena’s historic center and Getsemaní quarter mix cobblestone streets with plazas where locals walk their dogs after sunset. Some properties in restored colonial houses accept pets in ground-floor rooms that open directly onto internal courtyards, which makes life easier for night-time bathroom breaks. Further afield, coffee-region towns such as Salento or Filandia, surrounded by hills and fincas, suit travelers who want long hikes by day and a quiet, pet friendly hotel at night.
In Cartagena, for instance, Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní and Hotel Casa Lola have offered pet-friendly rooms with a moderate cleaning surcharge and a preference for small and medium-size dogs, while larger chain properties like Hyatt Regency Cartagena tend to publish clearer breed and weight restrictions on their official pages. In the coffee region, boutique stays near Salento and Filandia often welcome dogs on a case-by-case basis, asking owners to keep animals off beds and to use leads on shared trails.
A line on a website saying “pet friendly” tells you almost nothing. In Colombia, the reality ranges from properties that simply tolerate animals in one or two rooms to hotels where your dog receives a water bowl, a small treat, and a clear explanation of where to walk and where to avoid. The best friendly hotels treat your pet as a legitimate guest, not an exception.
Before you book, check the details of the pet policy rather than relying on a single review. Ask yourself practical questions. Are pets allowed in all room categories or only in specific ground-floor rooms? Is there direct outdoor access, or will you be waiting for elevators several times a night? A property located close to a busy avenida with no pavement is far less comfortable than one a few minutes from a park, even if both call themselves a pet friendly hotel.
Colombian hotels often set a maximum weight for dogs and may restrict certain breeds. In major chains, limits of 8–15 kg per animal are common, with a maximum of one or two pets per room and written exclusions for traditionally “guard” breeds such as Pit Bull–type dogs or Rottweilers. Some limit the number of pets per room, which matters for a family traveling with more than one animal. You should also check whether the hotel requires proof of vaccinations at check-in. These details rarely appear in short guest reviews, so reading the full policy and confirming the essentials before your stay is worth the effort.
Start with your travel style, not with a list of hotels. A solo traveler spending a week in Medellín, Colombia, working remotely will have different needs from a family on a short coastal break. If you plan to be out exploring all day, a simple, well-located property with reliable pet access may be enough. If you expect to spend long evenings in your room, you will want more space, better sound insulation, and perhaps a small terrace or balcony.
Room configuration matters more with animals. Look for rooms with hard floors rather than wall-to-wall carpet, especially in humid cities like Cartagena. Ground-floor rooms or those near stairwells make late-night walks easier. When you check availability, pay attention to whether the hotel clearly labels which room types accept pets; some properties only allow animals in a limited number of units, so last-minute bookings can be tricky.
Location is the other decisive factor. In Medellín, staying near Parque Lleras offers energy but also late-night noise that can unsettle nervous dogs. A property a few blocks away, still located close to restaurants but on a quieter residential street, often provides a better balance. In Bogotá, being near a large park such as Parque El Virrey can transform your stay, turning daily walks into a pleasure rather than a chore along traffic-heavy Carrera 15.
Colombian hotels update their pet policies over time, sometimes tightening rules as demand grows. Always base your decision on current information rather than an old review. When you are ready to book, verify three things in particular: whether pets are accepted on your exact travel dates, whether there is a limit on the number or size of animals, and whether there are any restricted areas inside the property.
Availability for pet-friendly rooms can be more limited than for standard rooms. Some hotels in Medellín and Bogotá designate only a handful of units for guests with animals, often on the same floor for easier cleaning. This means that during busy periods, you may find the hotel available for humans but not for pets. Checking this early avoids last-minute compromises on location or room type.
Specific pricing for pets varies widely. While we will not discuss exact price levels, you should expect either a nightly supplement per pet or a one-time cleaning fee per stay. A higher fee does not always mean a better experience; sometimes it simply reflects the hotel’s positioning. Read how other guests describe the treatment of their animals in their review comments. A modest supplement combined with genuinely friendly staff and clear rules is usually a better value than a high surcharge with a grudging attitude.
Not every pet owner wants the same kind of hotel. Some prefer intimate, design-forward properties where the lobby feels like a living room and staff quickly learn your dog’s habits. Others want larger, more anonymous hotels where you can slip in and out with minimal interaction. Colombia offers both, but the atmosphere will shape your stay as much as the room itself.
For couples or a solo traveler who values aesthetics and calm, smaller properties with fewer rooms often provide a more curated experience. You might find a shaded internal patio where pets are welcome at breakfast, or a rooftop terrace where you can sit with a glass of wine while your dog naps at your feet. These places tend to attract guests who are comfortable sharing space with animals and who appreciate clear, considerate rules.
Families with children and pets may be better served by larger hotels with generous common areas and straightforward layouts. Wide corridors, multiple lifts, and easy access to the street reduce friction when moving with both kids and animals. In Medellín, Colombia, some properties near Avenida El Poblado combine this scale with proximity to parks and shopping streets, which works well for mixed-age groups. The trade-off is less intimacy and a more standardized feel, but often greater convenience.
Arriving prepared makes the difference between a relaxed stay and a stressful one. Bring your own collapsible bowls, a familiar blanket, and enough food for the entire trip; brands can differ from what you find at home, especially outside major cities. A compact towel is useful in Bogotá’s rainy season or after beach walks in Cartagena, so your pet does not leave wet paw prints across the room.
In cities, plan your walking routes in advance. Around Medellín’s Parque La Presidenta, for example, shaded paths follow the stream for several hundred metres, offering a calm alternative to the traffic of Calle 10. In Bogotá, stick to well-lit streets and established parks, particularly at night. Many local residents walk their dogs late in the evening, which can be reassuring if you prefer not to be alone.
Inside the hotel, respect shared spaces. Keep your pet on a leash in corridors and lifts, and avoid leaving animals unattended in the room for long periods, especially if they bark. Colombian walls can be thinner than you expect, and sound travels. A considerate guest, one who manages noise and cleans up promptly, makes it easier for properties to maintain generous pet policies. In the long run, that benefits every traveler trying to find pet friendly hotels across the country.
Colombia is generally a strong destination for traveling with a pet, especially dogs, because major cities such as Bogotá and Medellín have an established culture of dog ownership, numerous parks, and a growing number of pet friendly hotels. Urban areas offer cafés and outdoor restaurants where animals are often welcome, while regions like the coffee country and the Caribbean coast provide ample outdoor space for walks. The key is to choose neighborhoods with safe pavements and nearby green areas, and to verify each hotel’s current pet policy before you book.
When choosing a pet-friendly hotel in Medellín, focus first on location and access to parks. Areas around Parque El Poblado, Parque La Presidenta, and parts of Laureles offer tree-lined streets and easier walking than some steeper hillside districts. Check availability specifically for pet-friendly rooms, as some hotels in Medellín limit animals to certain floors or categories. Read recent guest reviews to understand how staff handle pets in practice, and confirm rules on size limits, restricted areas, and any extra charges before finalizing your stay.
Before booking, you should check four essentials in any hotel’s pet policy: whether pets are allowed in all room types or only in specific ones, whether there are size or breed restrictions, how many animals are permitted per room, and what fees apply per night or per stay. It is also useful to know where pets are not allowed inside the property, such as certain dining rooms or pools, and whether proof of vaccinations is required at check-in. Clarifying these points in advance prevents surprises on arrival and helps you select the most suitable property.
Many Colombian hotels charge an additional fee for pets, either as a nightly supplement per animal or as a one-time cleaning charge for the entire stay. The amount varies by property and does not always correlate with the level of service offered to your pet. Because specific pricing can change, you should always rely on current information when you check availability and compare options. When reading a review, pay attention to how guests describe the value of the pet fee relative to the overall experience.
Most pet-friendly hotels in Colombia are primarily set up for dogs, and their policies are written with canine guests in mind. Some properties may accept cats or smaller animals, but this is less common and usually handled on a case-by-case basis. If you are traveling with a pet other than a dog, it becomes even more important to verify acceptance in advance and to understand any additional conditions, such as keeping the animal in a carrier in public areas or limiting access to certain parts of the property.
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