Colombia Travel Information

COLOMBIA TRAVEL INFORMATION:

· Visa Requirements

· Currency

· Banks/ ATMs

· Electricity

· Time Zone

Visa Requirements

Perhaps the most important Colombia travel information includes an understanding of the visa processes for visiting Colombia:

For most countries in Europe and from the U.S., you get a tourist visa for 60 days or less when entering Colombia. I strongly urge you to have a return ticket or you may be refused entry.

Extensions may be granted at the DAS (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad) Extranjeria.

There is an exit tax of up to US$53 when leaving by plane.

Please check with the Colombian consulate or embassy in your own country to ensure that you do not need a visa.
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Currency

The Colombian Peso (COP) is the local currency.

As far as practical information goes, and due to large currency fluctuations, this part needs special attention so please bare with me...

As most are aware, the US Dollar (USD) had been depreciating for some time now and in conjunction with the appreciation of the COP through increased foreign investment, this has lead to a double whammy where the COP has become relatively more expensive for foreigners traveling to Colombia.

As of January, 2009, 1 US$ = 2205 COP

This figure will be updated intermittently. (I recommend the following site for daily figures: http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic)

On Friday, June 20th, 2008, BancoRepublica (Central bank of Colombia) committed to buying 20 million USD per day. This has since Friday already caused the COP to weaken by 70 pesos. It will be interesting to see how the COP develops against the USD over the next months.

For comparisons sake, the 2006 figures were:

US$1 = 2300 COP

EUR 1 = 3000 COP
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Banks/ ATMs

Bancolombia is for some reason giving me trouble at the ATM and Banco de Bogota is proving more consistent on US and Norwegian debit cards. Both work when withdrawing from a credit card. I don't know why, nor do I understand how this has changed suddenly after 7 years of coming here.

Bancolombia is the biggest bank in Colombia. It merged with Conavi in 2005 giving it a market share of 22%.

I recommend using Bancolombia ATMs because they tend to be the most reliable. In my experience, using a foreign debit or credit card to take out cash always works.

Note that other bank's ATMs tend to be fine, it's simply that my experience with Bancolombia is better.

Depending on the part of town, the reliability of ATMs varies in that they may be empty for example. Taking money out at a mall or somewhere safe during the day is recommended. Use common sense and don't flaunt the cash.

How much you need per person really depends on your budget but I will attempt to give some indication (not including accommodation)

A backpacker will get far with say, 30.000,- COP/ day.

A budget traveler with 30.000 to 100.000,- COP/ day.

Beyond that, same as anywhere, they skies the limit! With more than 100.000,-/ day per person you will eat and drink like a king. (Well, almost)

One final word of advice. Carry small denominations. Taxis especially can give you a hard time if you hand them a 20 or 50.000 COP bill. A few coins in your pocket can be very handy.
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Electricity

110 Volts/ 60 Hz.Plugs are U.S. type. (2 pin and 3 pin earth/ grounded)

Buy adapters prior to arriving to avoid much unnecessary hassle.

I recommend unplugging computers from the mains during electrical storms.
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Time Zone

GMT -5 hours.(EST) Eastern Standard Time

In other words; same as New York in the winter or:5 hours behind London in winter. ie. London = 6pm; Medellin is 1pm.

I hope the practical information on this page will be useful to you.
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WE HOPE YOU FIND THIS COLOMBIA TRAVEL INFORMATION USEFUL!

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