Colombia Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Colombia

Former Name

None

Capital City

Bogota

Government Type

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Area Size

1,138,910 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -5 hours

Climate

The climate is very warm and tropical on the coast and in the north, with a rainy season from May to November. This varies according to altitude. It is cooler in the upland areas and cold in the mountains. Bogotá is always spring-like, with cool days and crisp nights.

Geography

Only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Colombia has more physical diversity packed into its borders than any other area of comparable size in Latin America. The country is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a region of the world characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Languages

Spanish

Culture

Colombia is an ethnic mosaic, reflected in its culture, folklore, arts and crafts. The different roots and traditions of the Indians, Spanish and Africans have produced interesting fusions, particularly in crafts, sculpture and music. Pre-Columbian art consists primarily of stone sculpture, pottery and goldwork. Indian basketware, weaving and pottery date back to pre-Columbian times but now fuse modern techniques with traditional designs. Colombian music incorporates both the African rhythms of the Caribbean, Cuban salsa and heavily Spanish-influenced Andean music.

History

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily funded by the drug trade - escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence. Paramilitary groups challenge the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. Although several thousand paramilitary members have demobilized since 2002 in an ongoing peace process, their commitment to ceasing illicit activity is unclear. While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

Travel Information

The national airline is Avianca (AV) which runs direct flights from Madrid and New York to Bogotá. Bogotá (El Dorado International Airport) (BOG) is situated 12km east of the city. Buses and taxis are available to the city centre (journey time – 30 minutes). Bank, ATMs, duty-free shop, bars, restaurants, tourist information, pharmacist, car hire and Internet access. Barranquilla (Ernesto Cortissoz) (BAQ) is 10km from the city. Buses and taxis are available. Cali (Alfonso Bonilla Aragón) (CLO) is 19km from the city. Cartagena (Rafael Nuñez) (CTG) is 2km from the city. Departure Tax US$28. Transit passengers are exempt. Passengers who have stayed in Colombia for more than two months must pay an additional US$19 Main ports: Cartagena, Baranquilla, Santa Marta and Turnaco (Caribbean coast) and Buenaventura (Pacific coast). Many ships and cruise lines visit these ports from the USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Leticia is the upper Amazonian port, from where boats travel into Brazil and Peru. Colombia can be reached from Panama via the Darien Gap, but the route is not advised as it can be long, arduous and dangerous. There are also road links with Ecuador and Venezuela, although travellers should check with their local embassy about the safety of roads before crossing the border to Venezuela.

Accommodation

It is advisable to choose hotels recommended by the official Colombian Hotel Association, COTELCO. A 10% tax is added to all hotel bills throughout the country. There is a star grading system similar to that operating in Europe. Accommodation ranges from 5-star hotels to simple guest houses.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to 180 days except the following: nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Tourist and Temporary Visitor: Valid six months (multiple entry). Business: Valid four years for multiple entries with maximum stays of six months each. Student: Valid five years with multiple entry. Apply to consulate or consular section at embassy. Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to above.

Getting Around

There is an excellent internal air network connecting major cities, including those in the Caribbean coastal area. There are also local helicopter flights. Flights between the mainland and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia operate from most major Colombian cities. The main domestic carriers are AeroRepública, Avianca, Aires and Satena. Departure Tax Col$7,600, usually included in the ticket price. There is a ferry service between the mainland and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, leaving from the Muelle de los Pegasos. The journey is long (72 hours) but cheap. The Magdalena River is the main artery of Colombia. Some cargo boats take passengers, though this is a slow way to travel. It is possible to hire boats for particular trips. Paddle steamers no longer run services up and down the river and hiring can be expensive. From Leticia, on the Peruvian border, a number of operators run sightseeing tours and jungle expeditions up the Amazon. Traffic drives on the right. A good highway links Santa Marta in the east with Cartagena, and passes Barranquilla en route. The Trans-Caribbean Highway has placed Barranquilla only five hours away from Venezuela. Northeast of Santa Marta, in the Guajira Peninsula, roads are usually passable except during rainy periods. There is highway transportation between the coastal cities and the capital and other cities of the interior, but much of the highway is rutted. Travellers are advised against driving in rural areas as guerilla and paramilitary groups have a strong presence. Among the best bus lines are Flota Magdalena, Expreso Bolivariano and Expreso Palmira. There are also collectivos (taxi-buses) for shorter distances. The major international car rental companies have offices, but driving in cities is not recommended. Bogotá's bus service, TransMilenio, is the most efficient way to travel round the capital. There are also shared taxis (buseta) which are not expensive and stop on demand. Taxis are fairly cheap; passengers should insist that meters are used. Medellín, Colombia's second largest city, has a metro train service. The newest addition to the system is MetroCable, a cable car.

Health & Safety

Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid immunisation is also recommended. There is no risk of malaria in Bogota and surrounds, but prophylaxis is recommended in rural areas, particularly in the departments of Amazonas, Choco, Cordoba, Guiania, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vichada. Dengue fever is prevalent on the north Caribbean coast, and is on the increase; visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites. Visitors should not drink tap water, unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled, cooked and eaten while piping hot. Avoid undercooked meat or fish. Medical care is adequate in major cities but varies in quality elsewhere. Medical insurance is essential. Visitors to Colombia need to be aware they face various risks and should maintain a high level of vigilance. The risk of terrorist attacks from domestic Colombian groups in the towns and cities on public places like bars, restaurants and nightclubs frequented by expatriates, is high. Foreigners are also targeted by thieves, pickpockets and drug traffickers especially in urban areas, and crime is usually accompanied by violence. Never hail taxis in the street and never accept food, drinks, chewing gum or cigarettes from strangers. These could be drugged to incapacitate victims. Foreign nationals have also been victims of kidnappings in recent years, the risk being high in rural areas; foreigners are advised against travel to the departments of Sucre, Bolivar, Choco, Putumayo,Meta, Arauca, Nariño and Caqueta. Some parts of the country are particularly dangerous and fraught with guerrilla and paramilitary activity. The rural areas of Antioquia, Cauca, Valle de Cauca, Huila and Norte de Santander are the most affected by political/narcotic violence and should also be avoided. All travel to southern parts of Meta and to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, including the 'Lost City', should also be avoided due to a high risk to personal safety.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 6 Jan - Epiphany. 19 Mar - St Joseph’s Day. 5 Apr - Maundy Thursday. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 1 May - Labour Day. 17 May - Ascension. 7 Jun - Corpus Christi. 30 Jun - Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart). 3 Jul - St Peter and St Paul. 20 Jul - Independence Day. 7 Aug - Battle of Boyacá. 15 Aug - Assumption. 12 Oct - Columbus Day. 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 11 Nov - Independence of Cartagena City. 8 Dec - Immaculate Conception. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Electricity

110 volts AC, 60Hz

Working Hours

Business hours from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Emergency Numbers

119