Document Checklist for Colombia

Valid passport with at least six months of validity from the travel date.

Travel information, the hotel reservation or housing address, the round-trip air ticket, and other proof of travel Visa

Essential Colombia Travel Information

Currency – The Colombian peso serves as the nation’s currency. Its acronyms are COP or Col$. Although the sign mimics a dollar, its worth is much lesser. For example, 4,802 COP are needed to buy one dollar.

Languages– Spanish is the formal language of the nation, but the provinces of San Andrés and Providencia also have English speakers. Additionally, the Indigenous groups of Colombia are home to more than 60 languages.

Socket type – 110V and 60Hz are the standard source power and frequency in Colombia, respectively. A and B plug varieties are available.

Time zone: UTC is five hours behind Colombian time. It is shown as UTC-5.

Top 3 cities to visit: The principal towns are Bogotá, Cartagena de Indias, and Medellín.

Top landmarks/monuments – Balneario de Boca Grande, San Andrés Islas, and Guatapé Rock

Visa Information for Colombia

The Type V Visitor Visa is intended for any foreign national who plans to travel to Colombia on multiple occasions or to remain for a short while.

The Resident Visa, or Type R, is for people who want to make Colombia their permanent home.

The Migrant Visa, also known as type M, is for foreign nationals who want to join the country intending to remain there permanently but do not satisfy the requirements for a type “R” visa.

Typical Costs and Budget for Colombia

Daily expenditure per individual: Tourists spend an average of $100 per day in the nation.

Food costs – can differ based on which of the four restaurant price categories you choose

A traveler can spend between $5 and $10 per individual at inexpensive eateries.

Transportation – For five days of travel, the typical cost for transportation among the various vehicle rental firms ranges from 220 to 275 USD. This amounts to roughly 44 to 55 USD daily.

Hotel – The sort of accommodation will determine the typical cost. Hostels are among the most affordable accommodations, with rates ranging from $10 to $20 per night. For more opulent lodgings, rates range from 30 to over 100 USD.

Transport and Ways to Travel around Colombia

Domestic Flights: Colombia offers a variety of local travel options with carriers like Latam and Viva Air. Only the identification certificate and the airline’s request are required for domestic flights.

Bus – Both domestic and foreign buses are available in every city. Some services, like Redbus, allow customers to examine timetables and route maps online.

Rental car: As long as they are familiar with the routes and have a reliable navigation system, tourists always have the choice of renting a car. Additionally, Latin America is thought to have lower fuel compared to other regions.

Safety in Colombia

Colombia is engaged in a domestic conflict with an armed criminal organization known as the National Liberation Army. If these revolutionary military forces are close to you, you should watch the news.

At motels and airports, keep an eye on your baggage and care about what you pack inside: Drug usage carries severe punishments in this nation.

If there is ever an emergency, you should contact the local officials or the emergency diplomatic help.

Weather in Colombia

The weather can vary quite a bit depending on where you go in Colombia. Therefore, to prepare your suit, you must research the precise surroundings of where you are going.

Columbia has significant weather variations and a humid tropical environment. This climate is most prevalent in the area closer to the Pacific.

Deserts with high summertime temperatures tend to have a dry environment. For example, this environment can be found on the La Guajira Peninsula.

Favorable environment: It is arid in the summer and damp in the winter, similar to Medellin.

As in Boyacá’s Nevado el Cocuy and Santa Marta’s Sierra Nevada, mountains have a chilly environment where snow can be seen.

Must Do and See in Colombia

The captivating city of Bogotá, home to ancient and modern structures, is the capital of Colombia. Given that Bogotá has a rich cultural offering of numerous museums, creative manifestations, cultural centers, and outdoor events, you can explore unique locations in the city during your journey.

Tayrona Park is ideal for anyone who enjoys wildlife, excitement, and hiking. It is situated in the Sierra Nevada’s Magdalena region.

On the Caribbean Sea’s coast is the city of Cartagena de Indias. One of the gorgeous places to visit is this one. It is regarded as a World Heritage Site because of its walled center, which features cobblestone walkways, vibrant buildings, and an imperial identity. Additionally, it is a seaside location with lovely accommodations.

There is a tiny haven called San Andrés Island in the Caribbean Sea. It’s the ideal location for a vacation where you can relax and take in the sun, the ocean, some local libations, and a fun celebration at night with your significant other or friends.

Typical Colombian Foods to Try

Colombian cuisine is excellent, just like every other nation in Latin America. Colombian cuisine can be characterized as a blend of various cultures, primarily Spanish and African, with the best traditional recipes from each area.

Among the many foods you can eat in Colombia are the bandeja paisa, sancocho, arepa, mote de queso costeo, and tamales.

Vaccine Information for Colombia

It is required to have the yellow fever vaccine and its international license, per local regulations, to travel to some areas of Colombia. La Guajira, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Los Llanos, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Amazon, and the whole of the Atlantic Coast are the areas that need this kind of information.

On the other hand, mosquitoes are prevalent throughout the nation. As a result, you must bring repellents to guard against dengue, Zika, malaria, and yellow fever.

Fun Facts about Colombia

1. Colombia has the world’s incredible biodiversity.
2. Sixty national parks exist in Colombia.
3. The Cali Fair, the biggest dance event in the world, is held in Colombia. From December 25 to December 30, it is observed annually.
4. Colombia has the most significant coffee exportation in the world, with more than 50,000 regions dedicated to coffee bean farming.
5. The world’s biggest floral exporter is Colombia. It has more than 4,000 different orchid varieties.