Growth characteristics in culture media and hamsters were studied for 14 isolates obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia. All isolates were identifiable with the Leishmania braziliensis complex having poor to moderate in vitro growth, and producing slow-growing, non-metastasizing lesions in hamsters. Eleven of the isolates originated from coastal areas and had characteristics of L. b. braziliensis; three isolates came from inland sites and had characteristics similar to L. b. panamensis.