Every one-way ticket out of Colombia includes a 136,000 COP exit tax — but tourists staying under 60 days can request a full cash refund at airport check-in. Most travelers have no idea this money is recoverable.
The tax, officially called the Impuesto de Timbre Nacional, is levied against Colombian residents and tourists who have stayed longer than 60 days. When booking flights with airlines like Avianca, it appears as Colombia Resident Exit Tax in the fees breakdown, adding approximately $30 USD to every one-way departure.
According to a recent post on r/digitalnomad, travelers who've stayed less than 60 days in the country can request a refund at the check-in desk for their departing flight. The process is straightforward: provide personal information and a signature, then receive 136,000 COP in cash. Airlines also stamp the passport's entry stamp to indicate the tax was refunded.
For digital nomads and backpackers who frequently move through Colombia on one-way tickets, this represents significant savings. A traveler making three one-way exits over a year could recover nearly $100 USD.
The refund applies specifically to one-way tickets. Travelers on round-trip tickets typically aren't charged the resident exit tax in the first place, as the return ticket demonstrates tourist status. However, digital nomads and long-term backpackers often purchase one-way flights to maintain flexibility.
Colombia has become increasingly popular among digital nomads, with cities like Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena offering affordable living costs, strong internet infrastructure, and vibrant expat communities. Many nomads stay for exactly 60 days to maximize their visa-free period before moving to neighboring countries.
The 60-day threshold is strict. Once you've been in Colombia for more than two months, you're considered a resident for tax purposes and the exit tax becomes non-refundable. Immigration officers track this via your entry stamp.
One digital nomad reported wishing they had known about the refund during their previous three exits from Colombia, each on a one-way ticket. they wrote.
