Useful Information

You have decided to visit Colombia, and like any journey it requires adaptation and understanding of the reality of this country.

For safety and quality reasons, there may be changes in routes and itineraries.
The geographical and natural diversity leads to rapid climate changes. It is important to be prepared and have the right clothes to address climate diversities.
Schedules and punctuality in Colombia are not handled in the same way as in other parts of the world. The recommendation is to be always on time, but be patient and get prepared to wait at times. The norm is between 15 – 30 minutes.
All our routes offer different accommodation options taking into account your preferences and budget. We work with hotels of different ranges, carefully selected according to our standards of quality, being always comfortable and well located.

How to get to Colombia

Bogotá, capital city, is serviced by a number of intercontinental airlines from where it is easy to connect with other parts of the country. In some cases, direct flights also arrive at other cities such as Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena. Airlines arriving from the United States are American Airlines, United, Copa Airlines, Avianca, etc. From Europe, major airlines that arrive in the country are Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia, British Airways , KLM and Avianca.

When to visit

Seasons do not exist in Colombia and the terms winter and summer are used to refer to the rainy and dry seasons respectively, which occur at different moments of year in each region. Despite its tropical geographic location, Colombia is characterized by a variety of climates determined by its Andean mountain system. Any time of the year is good for travelling to Colombia, but it is necessary to get well informed about the particular weather of the region you plan to visit.

What to wear

Because of its proximity to the equator, Colombia does not really have any seasons, so the sort of clothes to be brought may depend on the altitude of the places you will be visiting. It is advisable to pack clothes for both hot and mild weather, as well as coats and raincoats when going to highlands.

Time difference

Colombia lies within 5 hours behind GMT.

Facts for the visitor

If you belong to any of the countries listed below do not need a visa to enter and stay temporarily in the Colombian territory for tourism:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Canada, Czech (Republic), Chile, Cyprus, Korea (Republic of), Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Granada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dominican Republic, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Saint Lucia, the Vatican, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Travelers from countries not mentioned above, have restrictions and must apply for a tourist visa at the Colombian consulate in their home country.

The traveler may be allowed maximum a three-month stay following his passport submission, whose validity will be of 6 months upon arrival. It is advisable, however, to check with your nearest consulate or the internet, to make sure all formal requirements for entering the country have been met.

Departure Tax

The value of the departure tax to leave the country depends on the type of ticket. This is often already included in the amount paid for the ticket, however we recommend you ask your airline before departure. Should not be included, this can be paid at the departure airport in dollars or Colombian pesos.

Currency and money exchange

Colombia’s official currency is the Colombian peso (COP). The approximate exchange rate is: 1 USD = 3,000 COP and 1€ = 3,500 COP.

* These are average rates estimated for 2016. Please check the internet for the current rate at the time of your trip rate .

There are 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; 50,000 and 100,000 bills and 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 coins

You can change foreign currency and travelers checks at banks, exchange houses and big hotels, we advice not to do it in the streets. Credit and debit cards are received in most commercial establishments and money withdrawal is possible in most ATMs of different banks that operate 24 hours.

Health

Tap water in several large cities is considered safe to drink, but it is advisable to consume bottle water. You should also abide to hygiene basic regulations regarding the use of water and food.

No vaccination certificate is required from any European or North American tourist, but it is preferable to be inoculated against yellow fever when planning to visit lowland tropical areas such as the Amazon. Ask your doctor for more information. It should be applied at least 15 days before departure to these departments: The vaccine is not suitable for people with HIV, pregnant women and children under 6 months of age, among others.

As a preventive measure, an insect repellent should be packed and a malaria treatment taken when going to certain areas. Pharmacies are usually well stocked, and there are a number of private clinics and public hospitals which are high-tech equipped. It is also advisable to inquire on the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO) to find out the latest recommendations for diseases like dengue, chikungunya or zika.

Language

Colombia’s official language is Spanish, with a variety of regional accents. In spite of this, a dozen of linguistic indigenous families have survived, the main one being the Chibcha and the Arawak.

The traveler will find a number of touristic sites with English- speaking attendants and a fewer number of French-speaking ones. All the tourist guides with La Ruta Natural are highly competent in the English and the French languages.

Religion

Ninety-five per cent of Colombians are Roman Catholic and many are involved in traditional ceremonies. Likewise, the Christian faith has been influenced, for centuries, by Indigenous and African components which reflect in the daily life of Colombians.

Electrical Power

Electricity is 110 V. Electrical connectors or plugs used in Colombia are American type, with two flat input pins (Plug Type A) and sometimes with a third round pin (Plug type B).

Consider taking conversion plugs if you need them.

Phone calls

Colombian international code number is 57. Dial 1 to call de USA and Canada, 33 to call France, 32 to call Belgium, 34 to call Spain and 41 to call Switzerland.

There are also informal phone service providers, called “minuteros”, who may help whenever you need to make a phone call.

Tipping

Colombians often leave a tip according to the quality of the service received. However, leaving a tip is not mandatory and depends on the judgment of each person. It is advisable to ensure that this value is not automatically included in the bill, and if it is you can decide not pay it or leave a different value as a tip.

Our routes

Worldwide known as “The Golden Door” of South America, land of the legendary myth of El Dorado, famous worldwide for the quality of its coffee and the purity of its emeralds , la Ruta Natural invites you to discover a fascinating country.

Important Information