Colombia Trips & Tours

Most international flights land and take off from Colombia’s Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado in Bogatá. Direct flights to Bogotá from various European countries are offered by Iberia (Madrid and Barcelona), Air France/KLM (Paris), Avianca (Barcelona and Paris) and Lufthansa (Frankfurt). Avianca also operates flights from Madrid to Cali and Medellín, but domestic flights are available between most major cities.

When travelling around a city, there are a number of public transport options available including buses, taxis, trains and trams.

Currently, no vaccines are required to gain entry to Colombia, but please consult your physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks before your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin, your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines.

Things to note:

- If you wish to visit areas such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, the Tayrona National Park or any of the Amazon reserves, you are required to be fully vaccinated against yellow fever. This vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to travelling to any of these destinations.
- Malaria is a risk in areas below 800m, excluding Bogotá. Consider taking anti-malarial medication if travelling to affected areas.
- Altitude sickness is a risk to anyone above 2500 metres above sea level (this includes Bogotá). Get advice from your doctor. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation from high altitude.

Communication
Colombia Country Code: +57

Calling overseas from Colombia:
From a landline dial 010, followed by the country code, area code, and the phone number.
e.g., To call the USA: 010 1 [Area Code] [Phone Number]

When calling from a cell phone dial +, followed by the country code, area code, and the phone number.
e.g., To call the USA: +1 [Area Code] [Phone Number]

The Columbian Peso is the main currency. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money for pesos before arrival, but it is easily converted in Colombia for the rest of your stay.

Gratuities are not compulsory or expected; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive, you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute, or do both.

Gratuities suggestions:
- Guides: a tip of between $20,000 to $50,000 pesos per couple for a full-day tour
- Restaurants: 10-15% is generally very acceptable and appreciated

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

Compulsory Insurance:
a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

A visa is not required to visit Colombia for a stay of up to 90 days. However, the following is applicable:
- Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure and with one blank visa page
- Hold proof of onward flights
- Hold all documents required for the next destination
- Hold documents showing proof of travel purpose (e.g. itinerary or hotel booking confirmation)
- Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay

It is recommended that you confirm with your airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa.

Climate
Colombia is located near the Equator, meaning it doesn’t have four conventional seasons. Instead, it experiences microclimates that vary from region to region — it extends all the way from the Andean highlands to the coast. The year can be split into a wet and dry season, but the timing is unique to each region. The rainy season (Invierno) typically occurs from April to November and rainfall is especially heavy in the Andean and Amazonian regions. The dry season (Verano) takes place between December and March, however the Caribbean coast tends to be hot and humid year-round.

Here is a brief guide of what to pack:

- Warm clothing including trousers, a jumper, windbreaker and raincoat for hiking
- Some loose clothing, preferably cotton, for hot and humid regions
- Swimsuit, hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen
- Insect repellent and soothing cream
- Several pairs of shoes relevant to where you're staying: walking boots, comfortable trainers, sandals and dressy shoes, if necessary
- A camera, memory cards, batteries, chargers and adaptors. Colombia uses Plug types A and B, and operates on 110V supply voltage and 60Hz.
- A pair of binoculars if you plan on birdwatching
- A first-aid kit with basic supplies & any prescription medication (with script)
- A waterproof bag where you can keep your travel documents and your passport
- A good rucksack for hiking and a lighter shoulder bag for cities
- A road map and international driving license if you plan to hire a vehicle
- Portable USB Charger

Luggage
Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.