Colombia tours are becoming fashionable now, after so many years of being off the beaten path. The country has a lot to offer:

• a rich colonial past visible in intact cities
• 1.600 km of Atlantic coast &1.300 km of Pacific coast
• 3 majestic mountain ranges
• dream beaches on islands and in Tayrona Park
• Extraordinary fauna in the Amazonian jungle
• the contrast of sea and desert and the indigenous Wayu culture in the Guajira peninsula
• 5 biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO for its outstanding importance
• remnants of ancient pre Columbian civilizations
• graceful and beautiful people who who are always joyful, generous, helpful and enthusiastic.

Colombia occupies a territory of 1.141.748 km2 and 928.660 km2 of marine areas. It is located north of the South American continent and is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the east by Panama and the Pacific Ocean, to the west by Venezuela and Brazil and to the south by Ecuador and Peru. Colombia takes its name from Christopher Columbus, who first laid foot on these lands although he did not discover them. The first explorers were Alonso de Ojeda and Americo Vespucci who arrived in Cabo de La Vela on the Guajira peninsula in 1499 in their obsessive quest for El Dorado. After numerous Spanish expeditions in search for gold, in 1525, Rodrigo de Bastidas anchored in Santa Marta, in 1533, Pedro de Heredia founded Cartagena, which became the main commercial center, and in 1538, Santa Fe de Bogotá was founded on the territory of the Bacatá Indians. Thus Colombia can all but fascinate for its rich historic past, visible in cities that maintain an intact colonial patrimony as seen on the streets, residences and churches of Cartagena, Mompox, Girón and Bogotá, among others.

But the country is surprising for the numerous marvels found within 1.600 km of Atlantic coast, 1.300 km of Pacific coast and three majestic mountain ranges traversed by winding roads that connect villages and cities, cultures and races. Dream beaches in San Andrés and Islas del Rosario and San Bernardo archipelago, and deserted ones in Tayrona National Park, ideal seasides for underwater sports at Malpelo and to observe cetaceans in Gorgona Island. The snowed peaks and Andean landscapes of the parks of El Cocuy and Los Nevados. Extraordinary fauna in the Amazonian jungle of Amacayacu National Park, as well as majestic flora such as the “victoria regia”, the world’s largest lotus flower. The salt marshes, the flamingoes, the contrast of sea and desert and the indigenous Wayu culture in the Guajira peninsula. The Colombian territory houses the most important population of day time butterflies, orchids and palms, including the “palma de cera del Quindío”, the world’s tallest. It has five biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO for its outstanding importance.

One mustn’t forget the ancient pre Columbian civilizations whose culture survives to our day leaving us a heritage of gold, precious stones and ceramic creations of astounding beauty. The park of San Agustín is the country’s most important archaeological zone showcasing giant stone sculptures, examples of the height of funerary art. Ciudad Perdida and Pueblito in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta hold testimony to the Tayrona culture’s advanced knowledge of the use of water in construction. The fascination of Colombia is also related to its people who, like the indigenous community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Kanzá in the Putumayo, the Cubeos in Vaupes, the Wayu in the Guajra and the Arhaucos and Koguis in the Nabusimake hold their traditions intact. Colombia is a racial melting pot: the mix of black Africans, Indians and Caucasians has resulted in a graceful and beautiful people who vary from place to place and who are always joyful, generous, helpful and enthusiastic.

Documents and Visas

To enter Colombia, you need a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays up to 90 days but is required for longer stays and must be requested in the respective Colombian consulate. It is also possible to request a 30 day extension from the DA S (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad).

Currency and Exchange Rates

The unit of Colombian currency is the Colombian Peso. The notes are in denominations of $2.000, $5.000, $10.000, $20.000 and $50.000; and the coins are $20, $50, $100, $200 and $500 The exchange rate fluctuates from day to day and has the U.S. dollar as the official reference rate. Payment is made on the basis of the official daily rate, after discounting commissions and services, which vary between 2 and 3%. We recommend changing only in authorized money exchange bureau or “casas de cambio”, in banks and hotels and never on the street. The USA dollar is the easiest currency to exchange. Traveler’s checks are rarely used as it is difficult to change them outside of Bogotá. The most convenient brand to use is American Express, but they need to be changed in a bank and these have limited bank hours. Major credit cards are widely accepted in most important tourist destinations where Visa and Master Card can also be used in cash machines or “cajeros automáticos” to withdraw cash.

Airport Taxes

A Departure tax of USD$34 is currently levied on international flights. At the moment, international tourist (not resident in Colombia) do have an exemption on this tax.

Immunization

Most immunizations are not necessary to travel to Colombia. We nevertheless recommend asking your physician or a specialized center for more detailed information. For those travelling to the southern Amazon, Amacayacu and Gorgona National Parks, a vaccination for yellow fever and tetanus 15 days in advanced is compulsory as the diseases are endemic in some areas, as well as for passengers continuing to Brazil.

Time

All of Colombia is on the same time zone, five or six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time depending on the season.

Electricity

All of Colombia uses 110 volt electricity with US type flat two pin plugs. It is best to bring an adapter.

Climate

Colombia is located near the Equator which allows for relatively minor climate variations over the year. Temperatures vary according to altitude creating different climate zones: Warm: temperatures above 24°C in altitudes lower than 1.000 meters, which comprises 80 % of the territory.

Tempered: temperatures between 17°C and 24°C above 1.000 and 2.000 meters. Cold: temperatures between 12°C and 17°C above 2.000 and 3.000 meters. Páramo (altiplano): temperatures below12°C with altitudes above 3.000 meters. Altitudes also generate differences in temperature between day and night. Clearly, as the altitude increases, so does the difference in climate. There are no variations in the low lands where days and nights are warm. Colombia experiences two seasons: the “dry” season or summer and the “rainy” season or winter. The length of the seasons and the amount of rain vary according to the regions. The Andes, for instance, have two dry and two rainy seasons a year. The main dry season stretches from December to March and July and August are rainy as well. The Llanos have a dry season from December to March and are rainy over the rest of the year. There is no uniform climate in the Amazon which is quite rainy all year round.