Here is an overview of the essential facts about Colombia that you will need to know before arriving.FACTS ABOUT COLOMBIA Here are some facts about Colombia should cover the basic essentials that anyone visiting for the first time will need to know. · Visa Requirements · Currency/ exchange rate · Banks/ ATMs · Travel costs · Electricity · Weather / clothing · Water · Spanish · Time Zone For most countries in Europe and from the U.S., you receive 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$53 when leaving by plane. Please check with the Colombian consulate or embassy in your own country to ensure that you do not need a visa. The Colombian Peso (COP) is the local currency. Given steady long-term appreciation of the peso and current global financial instability, is is difficult to pin down the exchange rate but as of: December 23, 2009, 1 US$ = 2057 COP This figure will be updated intermittently. (I recommend checking on the current exchange rate at Yahoo Finance) FACTS ABOUT COLOMBIA UPDATE 2009: This year 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. 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. These vary tremendously from below freezing in the glacial Sierras to hot and humid tropical rain forest. Mainly, altitude is the greatest factor. The higher you are, the more temperate it becomes. Note that at Bogota, temperatures can drop to near freezing at night so be prepared. (More specific information to come) This is is one of the most important facts about Colombia. Quality varies tremendously from region to region. By the coast and in less developed areas, the water may contain very harmful amoebas that you do not want to be infected with. Do not drink from the tap! Exceptions are the bigger cities such as Bogota and especially Medellin, where the water is excellent! Some of the best in South America in fact. Up-market hotels and restaurants will cope with English. Some well educated Colombians speak some English but far from all. It's a little hard to guess or generalize actually. Until recently, people often studied French as their second language. If someone shows signs of speaking some English, chances are they understand quite a bit but get little practice. Therefore, a combination of shyness to an earnest willingness to try is often the attitude of those who know a little from before. Possibly one of the most important notes when giving information about Medellin, is that your trip will doubtlessly be more enjoyable if you learn some Spanish. A few points to consider: over 330 million people speak Spanish as their first language on a global basis. Own music, entertainment, TV channels and culture. Therefore, although English is on the increase, you need to use some Spanish to get around. Smiles, gestures and creative approaches tend to work fairly well. I.e. Say to a taxi driver, “Hotel del Poblado por favor” (Hotel Poblado please) with a big smile and you'll get there. 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 that these facts about Colombia will help you prepare for a safe, enjoyable and comfortable trip. New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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