Colombian Embassy to Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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Tourism - Visitor Information

Vaccinations

No particular vaccinations are required for Colombia.

For tourists visiting jungle regions (the Amazon), vaccination against yellow fever and tetanus is recommended.

If you are planning to travel to Brazil at any point during your trip, you will be required to have a yellow fever vaccine.

It is also advisable to carry a first-aid kit including painkillers, disinfectants and anti-diarrhoea tablets.

Visas

Nationals of some countries, including most of Western Europe, the Americas, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, don't need a visa to enter Colombia. It's a good idea to check this before your planned trip, because visa regulations change frequently.

All visitors get an entry stamp or print in their passport from DAS (the security police responsible for immigration) upon arrival at any international airport or land border crossing. The stamp says how many days you can stay in the country. The maximum allowed is 90 days, but DAS officials often stamp 60 or just 30 days. Make sure you get an entry stamp or you'll have troubles later.

Official money changers and banks will want to see your entry stamp, as will police if there are any problems.

When departing the country, if you don't have a stamp you'll also have to pay a fine (around GBP £30.00) and get a salvoconducto from a DAS office. Similarly, make sure you have a departure stamp or there will be trouble the next time around.

You are entitled to a 30-day extension (GBP £14.00), which can be obtained from DAS in any departmental capital. The new 30 days begins from the end of the visa already stamped in your passport (so there's no need to wait to the last minute). Most travellers apply for an extension in Bogotá.

Airport Tax

Passengers leaving Colombia on international flights are charged a boarding tax not included in the fare. This is around £14 and can be paid in Col$.

You can check up-to-date information at Bogotá International airport - Bogotá Airport

Remember to reconfirm your reservations at least 72 hours in advance and be prepared for rescheduled or postponed flights.

Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish.

On the islands of San Andres and Old Providence, English is also spoken.

There are numerous Indian communities that speak diverse dialects.

Currency

Colombia's currency is the peso (Col$).

There is no need to purchase Colombian pesos before travelling to Colombia.

The money exchange desks at the international airports give a good rate.

Most major bank cards and credit cards will work in the bank machines to withdraw cash.

Banking hours in Bogotá are 9am-3 pm Monday-Friday, and in other cities 8am-11.30 a.m. and 2-4.30p.m. On the last business day of the month banks are only open to the public until noon.

Few Colombian banks deal in foreign exchange but you can usually count on Bancolombia to change US dollars and travelers checks. Changing travelers checks can take ages as photocopies need to be made, finger prints given and passports inspected.

Peso coins come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. Be aware that there are some fake 1000-peso coins in circulation; many businesses don't accept them and neither should you.

The approximate exchange rate, in 2007, is COL $3,984.00 = GBP £1.00
Check the daily rate here - Currency Converter.

Note: Taxi drivers are not reliable sources of information about monetary exchange.

Time Zone

Time difference (+/- GMT): -5 hours

Business Hours

Shops are open every day from 9am-8pm.

Museums are often closed on Mondays and Sundays.

Office hours are 9am-6pm Monday-Friday.

Banking hours in Bogotá are 9am-3 pm Monday-Friday, and in other cities 8am-11.30 a.m. and 2-4:30p.m. On the last business day of the month banks are only open to the public until noon.

Dialling Codes

In major cities national and international calls cam be made from Telecom offices, which are open from 9am-6pm and in some cities, particularly main tourist ones, until 10pm. There are many internet cafes.

International dialling code from the UK:
00 + 57 + city code + number

Main cities:

00 57 (1 Bogotá)
00 57 (4 Antioquia-Medellín)
00 57 (2 Valle del Cauca-Cali)
00 57 (5 Bolívar-Cartagena)
00 57 (5 Atlántico-Barranquilla)
00 57 (6 Quindío)
00 57 (1 Cundinamarca)
00 57 (7 Santander)
00 57 (7 Norte de Santander)
00 57 (8 Tolima)
00 57 (6 Risaralda)
00 57 (8 Boyacá)

00 + 57 + 3 for mobile phones

Emergency Numbers

National information: 191

In Bogotá:

Fire brigade 119
Police 112
Red Cross 132
Traffic and accidents 127
Health emergencies 125
Emergency Police 156
Prosecutor General's Office 12

Driving

Unlike in the UK, one drives on the right in Colombia.

Holders of international driving licences may drive in Colombia.

Renting a car is not reccommended as traffic is very problematic.

Colombia is not the easiest of countries for cyclists. Road rules favour drivers and you'll end up fighting traffic on main roadways. Never assume that a driver will give you right of way. On the plus side, most roads are paved and security is improving. It's also worth noting that even the smallest towns will have a repair shop and you can get your bike fixed cheaply and easily. Bike rentals are uncommon but you can buy a bike almost anywhere. But if you want something really reliable, bring your own bike and all your own kit.

Taxis

It is best to contract a taxi from the hotel where you are staying.

There have been problems with tourists and locals alike being robbed by taxi drivers they have hailed on the streets.

A taxi or private car can be hired for as little as £20 a day.

Public Transport

All Colombian cities have public transport systems and there are good links between cities, particularly between major ones. All provincial capitals have their own bus terminuses.

There is no national train service. There are special tourist trains between some towns.

The only Colombian city with a metro system is Medellín, Antioquia. Opened in 1995, the metro is the backbone of Medellín and its inhabitants are proud of it. As it is overground, passengers enjoy excellent views. There are two lines - A, a thirty kilometre long line crossing the city from north to south along the river Medellín and east to west line B, which is 8 kilometres long, intersects with the other line at San Antonio station. With 25 stations, the metro makes travel round the city easy. It has the reputation of being one of the cleanest metro systems in Latin America.

The capital Bogotá has a modern mass transit system Transmilenio, which runs from north to south Bogotá and from west to east. This mass transport system has had a major impact on the layout of the city. Linking the northern parts of the city with the south and the west with the east in its first six months it carried 37 million passengers. There is a daily flat fare (around 30p) at all times.

Articulated buses run along major roads between 5am and 11pm.

Other forms of transport include chivas (an old-style, wooden bus used primarily on outback roads) and collectivos (a cross between a bus and taxi, used on fixed routes).

Major Gateways and Port

Major Gateways
Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá).
From Bogotá Airport to city centre - journey time approximately 30 minutes, fare about £5.

Antioquia José María Cordoba International Airport (near Medellin).
From airport to city centre - journey time approximately 50 minutes, fare about £10.

Valle del Cauca Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (near Cali).
From airport to city centre - journey time approximately 25 minutes, fare approximately £4.

Bolivar Rafael Nuñez International Airport (near Cartagena de Indias).
From airport to city centre - journey time approximately 15 minutes, fare approximately £3.

Risaralda Matecaña International Airport (near Pereira).

Ports
In order to attract and generate new investment and strengthen Colombian exports, the Colombian Government enacted Colombia's Special Economic Export Zones. The idea is to generate new export centres by creating special conditions to promote Colombian goods and services. Such zones have been set up in Buenaventura, Province of Valle del Cauca; Cucuta, North Santander; Valledupar, Cesar and Ipiales, Nariño.

Seaports
Timetable - www.mapis.com.co

La Guajira Port Area
Santa Marta Port Area
Cartagena de Indias Port Area
Barranquilla Port Area
Morrosquillo Gulf Port Area
Turbo Port Area
Buenaventura Port Area
Tumaco Port Area
San Andrés Por

Shopping

There are modern shopping centres in all the major cities.

Colombia is a real paradise for shoppers. Leather and wool products are renowned for their high quality and reasonable prices.

There are shopping centers all around the country where visitors can buy emeralds, gold, leather goods, textiles, clothing, handicrafts (the Artesanías de Colombia stores merit special mention).

VAT at 16% is chargeable on most retail products.

Regional Handicrafts
Visitors may choose from a wide variety of regional handicrafts such as:

Emeralds. Colombia is the world's largest emerald producer. Bogotá offers the best selection and prices.
Coffee - a traditional Colombian product, inexpensive and readily available throughout the country.
Coffee-table books about nature, art and architecture. A good selection in bookstores in major cities.
Filigree gold and silver jewellery. The best is found in Mompox.
Pottery. The local people of Ráquira (Village of Pots) and the surrounding area inherited their skill for crafting magnificent pottery from their Indian ancestors. Bogotá is the best centre for pre-Columbian pottery.
Chivas - until the 1960s the main mode of rural public transport and still common on country roads. Pitalito has become famous for its miniature ceramics, which are also produced in other regions.
Andean musical string instruments. Recordings of local music on CDs and cassettes.
Hammocks - chinchorros range from simple, practical hammocks made in Los Llanos (a specially good buy in Villavicencio) to the more decorative ones made in San Jacinto and even more elaborate ones produced by the Guajiro Indians.
Mochilas (wool woven bags), the best and most fashionable are those of the Arhuaco Indians from Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.
Baskets woven out of iraca (banana) and corozo leaves.
Pre-Columbian art reproductions.
Textiles: brightly coloured rugs in Sogamoso, Chiquinquirá, Tibaná, Paipa, Sutamarchán. Woollen ponchos, the traditional attire of country people, may be purchased in Iza, Cocuy and Sogamoso. Hand-made in simple patterns and in natural colours, ruanas are found in the colder parts of the Andean region.
Leather goods. Among the best in South America, leather bags and suitcases of every shape, size and style. A good selection is available in Bogotá, Medellín and other cities. Boots are another good buy

Travel Tips

Food
Colombian food is as varied as its regions. Every region has its distinctive food and customs. Try the local foods which are tasty and fresh.

Tipping
10% is the usual tip for any service, although in better restaurants 15% is fast becoming the norm. Check the bill to see if service is included.

Water
Drink bottled water outside of the big cities. Tap water in Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín is generally very clean.

Weather
Bogotá is a city high in the Andes Mountains (8,000 foot altitude) and the weather is generally cool and variable. It can rain, the sun can shine and it can be foggy and cold, all in one day. Bogotános like to say that in Bogotá you can experience the four seasons all in one day.

It is hot and humid in Cartagena. Take care with sun exposure.

Cali is hot all year round and Medellín has the most agreeable weather of the major cities in Colombia.

Safety
As in most large cities anywhere in the world, there is street crime in Colombia. You are recommended to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, keep an eye on your camera and wallet or purse. Wearing jewellery will attract attention of those who may want to take it from you.

Electricity
110 volts. Plugs are of the American type with two flat pins.