Colombia travel guide

 

Colombia - El Penol

 

Meet ColombiaColombia weather reportGetting into ColombiaFrom the Colombian kitchen From the Colombian barCurrency in ColombiaMajor airports in ColombiaDid you know?

 

Meet Colombia

 

It is the country’s extraordinary biodiversity, stunning natural beauty and magnificent cultural mix that makes Columbia so special. It is blessed with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery and damned by some of the most disreputable headlines in the world. Its history is a dramatic mix of drama, romance and bad action movie all mixed into one. But, Colombia has so much more to offer than the turmoil exploited by the media. It is a country bursting with arts, fashion, food, literature, music and sport.

 

The capital city, Bogota, is fast becoming one of Latin America’s urban highlights. It is the capital of fashion where the locals dress in the sleekest designer labels, sporting the latest mobile phone and fastest foreign cars, or roller-blade along the 21km of pedestrianised roads. It is blessed with graceful churches, excellent museums, the thriving nightlife and cultural events and festivals, such as:

  • Feria Taurina (bullfighting season – January and February)

  • Iberoamericano de Teatro (theatre festival – March and April)

  • Festival de Jazz (Latin Jazz artists - September)

  • Cine de Bogata (film festival - October)

  • And the annual Expoartesania (craft fair - December).

 

In sharp contrast, the tourist wanting to avoid the hustle bustle of city life has an enormous alternative itinerary to choose from. You can trek the lowlands of the Orinoco river basin, climb the snow covered volcanic peaks of the Verado del Ruiz in the Andes Mountains, relax on the beautiful Caribbean coastline, or explore the rainforests of the Amazon jungle.

 

Columbia is home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the Americas and the San Andrés Archipelago is a true diver’s paradise. These uninhabited islands in the Caribbean Sea are steeped in tales of piracy. You can imagine Captain Jack Sparrow sailing by on a couple of sea-turtles. These tropical waters are home to coral, dolphins, fish, octopus, sharks, sponge, whales and rays.

 

The adventure sports Mecca for Columbia is San Gil, home to climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, paragliding and potholing.

 

A truly culture experience is to explore the rolling savannahs of Los Llanos on horseback. Ride with the cattle-roping gauchos across the undulating prairies dotted with ranches. Stay on a coffee farm and experience Columbian life first-hand. After all, this is the home of folklore, legend and harmonious cowboy music.

 

There is so much to do and see in Colombia, what are you waiting for?

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Colombia weather report

 

Colombia’s proximity to the equator means its temperature stays hot all year. But, it is important to note that the temperature does change depending on altitude. This mean it is possible to experience very different climates within a couple of hours travel. The country can be divided vertically into four regions, from the hot lowlands to the freezing Andean peaks. This choice of climate is one of Columbia’s best assets and offers tourists a wide spectrum of travel opportunities, from snow-capped peaks to tropical Caribbean waters.

 

The best time to visit Columbia is during the dry season from December to March or July and august. This is also when many of the Columbian cultural festivals and fiestas are held. Northern Columbia has one long rainy season between May and October.

 

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.

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Getting into Colombia

 

Citizens from most Western European countries only need a valid passport with at least six months validity (from departure date) to enter Columbia. They will issues a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day tourist visa on entry. Visitors must also have a return or onward ticket to prove their intention to leave the country. You may also be asked to prove you have sufficient funds to support your stay.

 

Do not forget to allow for the airport tax on departure and ensure your passport is stamped when you arrive and depart else you may be liable for a fine. So if you arrive by sea you may have to travel to the port’s local immigration office for a passport entry stamp within one day of arrival. The stamp tells you how many days you are allowed in the country. The maximum stay is 90-days. Banks and police may ask to see this stamp. Similarly ensure you have a departure stamp else there will be trouble the next time you try to visit.

 

Another important thing to know is that you are only allowed to carry up to US$10,000 in cash on you at any one time and anything more than this will be confiscated. Keep a photocopy of your passport on you at all times for ID purposes.

 

Passport and visa requirements can change at short notice so check with your local Columbian embassy or consulate before you travel.

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From the Colombian kitchen

 

The food in Colombia like the climate varies depending on the region you visit. The same dish may be cooked and presented quite differently. Some Colombian delicacies include:

  • Ajiaco – chicken soup with three varieties of potato

  • Arepas con huevo – corn pancake topped with fried egg

  • Cazuela de mariscos – seafood soup

  • Charapa – stewed tortoise

  • Cuy – roast guinea pig

  • Frijoles con garra – red beans thickened with fried pig trotters

  • Fritanga – fried meat and giblets

  • Homiga culona – fried ants

  • Lechona –pig stuffed with rice and peas cooked in a clay oven

  • Pipitoria – black pudding

  • Sancoche – soup of boiled meat with yams and banana

 

Some traditional Colombian desserts are:

  • Cicadas – grated coconut with golden syrup

  • Cuajada con melao – thickened milk with sugarcane syrup

  • Manjar blanco – thick, sweet and milky pudding

  • Melcochas - caramelised sugar cane

  • Postre de natas – milk skin cooked with cinnamon, sugar and raisins

  • Turrones – sweet white nougat 

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From the Colombian bar

  • Aguardiente – aniseed liqueur made from distilled sugar cane

  • Beer - popular brands of beer and lager include: Aguila, Aguila light, Brava, Costeña, Club Colombia and Leona

  • Chuchuguazza – Colombian whisky

  • Colombiana – tamarindo soda

  • Guarapo – ananas skin fermented in water

  • Jugo – tropical fruit juice

  • Masato – fermented rice and corn flavoured with cinnamon and served cold

  • Ron Tres Esquinas and Ron Bianco – good white rums

  • Ron Viejo de Caladas and Ron Medellin – recommended dark rums

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Currency in Colombia

 

Colombia uses the peso (COP$). It comprises 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 coins with paper notes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 pesos.

 

The best rate of exchange with the peso is the US$. However, a large amount of fake US dollars circulate in Colombia, especially US$ 200 bills and it is advisable not to purchase these from a money lender on the streets. Fake COP$1000 coins also exist and these are very difficult to offload as many businesses refuse to accept them.

 

Many banks will not exchange traveller’s cheques and those that will usually do so at 5% lower than the official rate. It is best to look for an authorised ‘casa de cambio’ that can be found in most big cities and towns. Credit cards are widely accepted all over and ATM’s can be found all over. 

 

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Major airports in Colombia

 

The two main International airports in Colombia are:

  • Cali - Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)

  • Bogotá - El Dorado International Airport (BOG). This is the largest airport is South America.

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Did you know?

  • The name Colombia was derived from the name Christopher Colombus.

  • Colombia is the world’s largest producer of emeralds

  • The Colombian Inguazu Falls has featured in many movies including Miami Vice

  • The largest open pit coal mine in the world is in Colombia

  • Over half of the flowers sold in the US come from Colombia

  • Colombia is the world leader in sugar productivity

  • Colombian singer-songwriter, Shakira, is one of the most popular Latin American artists in the world.

  • Bogota has one of the most extensive dedicated bike path network of any city in the world, covering 300km

  • Colombia is home to the oldest Indian tribe: The Kogis 

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