Organize your stay Colombia
Money Colombia
The Colombian currency is the peso (plural pesos), whose locally used symbol is $ (or COP), not to be confused with the US dollar (US$). Coins are available in denominations of $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1,000. Since 2016, two families of banknotes have been in circulation, with denominations of $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 and $100,000. It doesn't take long to become a millionaire in Colombia! It's a good idea to carry small denominations with you at all times, especially in the countryside, but also in town, especially when paying for cab fares (you'll always get big eyes when you see a $50,000 bill!).
Exchange rates (June 2024): €1 = $4,460; $10,000 = €2.24; $50,000 = €11.20; US$1 = $4,160; $10,000 = US$2.40.
The Colombian peso has lost much of its value in recent years. Most Colombians think in US dollars, much more than in euros. Exchange bureaus are plentiful in major cities. All major shopping centers have them. Colombian pesos cannot be exchanged outside Colombia (except in border areas).
Budget & Tips Colombia
The cost of living in Colombia is very affordable for a European. Bear in mind that the minimum monthly salary (which many don't even reach) is 1 million pesos (around 230 euros). If you're traveling on a small budget (dormitory accommodation, a local breakfast, meals on the run or in the markets, public transport, a few cab fares, museums and nightlife), count on the equivalent of €20 to €30 per day. For a more comfortable budget (private room, meals in tourist restaurants, domestic flights or car rental, daily activities and excursions, guides, outings), allow between €40 and €80, based on two people. More than €150 per day is a real treat (boutique hotels, gourmet restaurants, all-inclusive excursions, domestic flights or private drivers). Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia, along with the San Andrés archipelago and Providencia, although it is still possible to travel economically (youth hostels, markets, etc.).
Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, but not in small towns or shops. Some establishments and agencies charge an additional fee (usually 5%) for card payments. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) have been developed, but many tourist villages still don't have any, or only one, which quickly runs out of money at weekends or breaks down... Withdrawals are generally limited to $300,000, but this depends on the bank. Most cash dispensers immediately reject your card, asking you to hand it in before asking for your PIN. For each foreign withdrawal made with your card, a commission is deducted by both the distributor's bank and your bank, unless you choose otherwise.
Merchandising(regateo). You can't haggle just anywhere in Colombia. If you speak a little Spanish, you can ask for a discount in low season, on scheduled buses or in certain hotels. However, haggling is not an institution and is a matter of good judgment. It's not very smart to haggle with a craftsman who sells you his products directly, unless you're buying a large quantity. In the markets, you can ask with a smile for a ñapa, which is a small gift in kind for the purchase of a certain quantity of products.
Tip (propina). Outside popular restaurants, it's customary to leave the waiter 10% of the bill. Some chic or tourist establishments include service in the bill. Gratuities are generally appreciated by hotel staff (baggage handlers and receptionists in large hotels) and guides.
Taxes. IVA(Impuesto al Valor Agregado), the equivalent of French VAT, is 19%. Some everyday consumer goods benefit from an IVA of 5% (coffee, flour...) and others are exempt (meat, milk...). Since 2016, non-resident foreign tourists in Colombia have been exempt from IVA in hotels and certain tourist services listed in the National Tourism Register (land-based tourist transport, travel agencies, guides...). All you need to do is present your passport with the entry stamp.
Passport and visas Colombia
European and Canadian tourists in possession of a passport (valid for the next 6 months) do not need a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. They are automatically issued a PIP 5(Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia N° 5), a temporary residence permit consisting of a simple stamp in the passport on arrival in Colombia. When entering the country (by river, land or air), migration authorities may ask you to present a return ticket or a document proving that you will be leaving the country shortly.
A 90-dayextension to the PIP is possible once you are in the country, at Migración Colombia (www.migracioncolombia.gov.co), with the application form (downloadable online), your passport and proof that you have been out of the country for less than 90 days (return ticket, for example). The process is now free of charge for European citizens, but remember to apply a little in advance, so that your PIP does not expire in the meantime. Renewals can only be made once, so it is not possible to reside in Colombia for more than 180 days per calendar year as a "tourist" (the trick of going to a neighboring country for a few days and coming back to Colombia for a new 90-day cycle doesn't work here, unlike in other countries in the region). It is important to carry a photocopy of your passport with the stamp indicating the date of entry into the country.
For more information on special situations (studies, internships, adoption, medical treatment, etc.), visit www.migracioncolombia.gov.co. You can also try contacting the Colombian embassy in France (www.francia.embajada.gov.co), but you're sure to find more practical information on the very clear and didactic blog - www.colombianito.fr - created by a Frenchman living in Barranquilla.
Driver's license Colombia
French, Belgian, Swiss or Canadian driving licenses are valid for driving in Colombia. An international driver's license is not required. It is valid for a maximum of 90 days, so police may ask you to show your passport to verify your date of entry.
Health Colombia
The health situation in tourist areas is generally good in Colombia. But as in most tropical regions, below 2,200 m altitude, you need to be wary of diseases transmitted by insects, and mosquitoes in particular. Dengue is the main disease (present in France for some years now). It is found mainly in urban areas (stagnant water). Symptoms are flu-like (high fever, joint pains, headaches). Should these symptoms appear, it is essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the diagnosis. Treatment is based on paracetamol-based analgesics and rest. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs must be avoided.
Cases of chikungunya and Zika are much rarer. For malaria (very few cases in Colombia), preventive treatment (often heavy with side effects) is recommended only for prolonged stays in affected areas. Preventing bites is the basic rule, with the wearing of covering clothing and the use of repellents and mosquito nets in infected areas.
Of course, you also need to pay attention to general hygiene (washing your hands thoroughly). Water is drinkable in many Colombian towns, but when travelling, it's best to drink bottled water (or water in plastic), especially on the Caribbean coast. It's no problem to drink fruit juices in restaurants and cafés. In the street, you need to be more wary, even if street vendors are generally keen to keep their customers and use treated water.
Beware of altitude sickness, sun and currents at the beach.
Mandatory vaccination Colombia
No vaccine is required for entry into Colombia, but even if cases are rare, it is advisable to be vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before travelling to infected areas (below 1,800 m altitude), the Amazon, the Llanos and the Pacific and Caribbean regions. The vaccine lasts for 10 years. Vaccinations are available in Bogotá, notably at the international airport (free of charge). Although in practice this is very rare, you may be asked to show your vaccination certificate at the entrance to certain national parks. You should also be aware that if you are travelling from Colombia to Costa Rica, the yellow fever vaccination booklet is strictly required by the Central American authorities (you may even be refused entry to the country if the vaccination is less than 10 days old).
Security Colombia
Don't panic, if you're not looking for trouble, nothing should happen to you! The media and people you know who have never been to Colombia tend to be very alarmist about the situation in "the land of guerrillas and cocaine". Armed conflict in some rural areas and insecurity in the major urban centers are undeniable, however, and criminal gangs are still very much in evidence. So is the country dangerous? Yes and no... It depends where, and it depends for whom. For the environmental activist, or the incorruptible mayor in Cauca or Chocó, there's no doubt that insecurity is part of daily life. The same is true of the buseta driver on the road every day in Ciudad Bolivar or Soacha. But for the average tourist who doesn't do anything or go anywhere for the sake of adrenalin or white powder, the risks of finding himself in a dangerous situation are no higher than in other Latin American countries. There is no such thing as zero risk, but to avoid problems, just like anywhere else, all you need is common sense and a few basic rules of caution. As far as areas to avoid are concerned, there are obviously the dangerous districts of the big cities, but also all rural areas suffering from the notorious presence of illegal armed groups linked to drug trafficking, as is the case in most border regions, but not only.
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, and that this sometimes gives a very alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Time difference Colombia
The time difference between Colombia and France is 6 hours (winter time in France) or 7 hours (summer time). When it's 8 p.m. in Paris, it's 2 p.m. in Bogotá in February and 1 p.m. in July.
Spoken languages Colombia
Spanish is spoken everywhere, with a few regional peculiarities and accents, more or less easy to understand once you've studied Spanish at school. There are also 68 indigenous languages (65 indigenous languages, 2 Afro-Colombian languages and Romani). In the tourism sector, more and more Colombians speak English (especially the younger generations) and some French.
Communication Colombia
Telephone and Internet coverage is generally good in major cities, less so in remote villages, where power cuts are frequent. Wifi is available in most hotels and cafés. You can also connect free of charge in many public places (squares, bus stations, airports, etc.), but the network is generally slow. Note that many Colombian websites end in ".co" (not ".com").
Electricity and measurements Colombia
Local electrical outlets supply 110 volts, 60 cycles, North American type. You'll need an adapter, as the plugs are flat and have a different spacing from European sockets. Adapters are readily (and cheaply) available in local hardware and mass-market stores. Power cuts can occur during heavy rains, but rarely last more than a few hours. In terms of weights and measures, Colombia uses both the metric and kilogram systems. Gasoline is sold by the American gallon (1 gallon = 3.8 liters).
Luggage Colombia
Don't take on too much, leave plenty of room for souvenirs!
Clothing. Colombia offers a wide range of climates, from the tropical heat of the coasts to the low temperatures of the Andean regions. An all-purpose suggestion: light, loose-fitting clothes that dry easily, a waterproof jacket or poncho, a fleece, good walking shoes, flip-flops, sunglasses, a hat (there are some great ones on the spot!), a high factor sunscreen and a swimsuit! It's easy to find all this locally, and most hotels offer a fast laundry service. Military fatigues and clothing are not necessarily welcome... Finally, you should know that Colombians attach great importance to dress code, especially when going out in the evening (avoid shorts and flip-flops).
A few usefulaccessories: first-aid kit, headlamp, meat bag, earplugs® (not to mention ear muffs!), Swiss Army knife, padlock, sewing kit, rope, waterproof cover for electronic devices, SD cards and USB sticks to store your photos as you go along, power adapter (if you have one, otherwise it's cheaper locally), mask and snorkel, binoculars, light hiking hammock...
