If you happen to want the total low-down on how one can plan your go to to Colombia, you’re in the suitable place. This entire Colombia journey information covers every thing from security and getting round to the most effective locations to go on this South America paradise.
The individuals of Colombia are very pleasant, heat and welcoming. Regardless of individuals’s fears, most elements of Colombia are protected, and I had a good time there as a solo feminine traveller. Colombia is among the most culturally fascinating locations I’ve ever visited, with its vibrant dance cultures, music, tropical fruit, world-class espresso and cacao, seashores, the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest.
Colombia is a good vacation spot for nature lovers, foodies, dancers and musicians, and other people serious about immersing themselves within the melting pot of indigenous, colonial Spanish, and Afro-Colombian Caribbean cultures.
If you happen to’re contemplating an journey to Colombia however the finish of this journey information you’re going to be able to e book your flight. This entire Colombia journey information has every thing it is advisable to plan your journey and can take you thru all the most effective locations to go to in Columbia! Prepared?
When to go to Colombia
Colombia is near the equator, so you’ll be able to go to at any time of the 12 months for constant temperatures. Many Colombians from the cities go to the Caribbean coast for the summer season, so to keep away from crowds, skip these areas in December and early January.
If you pack, contemplate the altitude of your locations: the Caribbean coast and Cali could be extremely popular, whereas Bogotá and locations within the Andes are fairly cool.
Arriving at Bogotá El Dorado airport
Some individuals select to skip Bogotá, however I extremely suggest spending a few days trying out the town. I cherished it a lot that I made a decision to increase my keep there! Learn extra concerning the Greatest Issues To Do in Bogotá.
The airport is on the outskirts of the town, so it’s best to get to your lodging by Uber. If you happen to don’t communicate Spanish, have Google Translate prepared, as Uber drivers often ask you to take a seat within the entrance seat and stroll exterior the principle pickup space to keep away from battle with taxis and authorities – Uber is a authorized gray space, however is often used and was really helpful to me by locals because the most secure transport possibility and is a good way to keep away from taxi scams.
If you happen to do take a taxi, keep away from organising it with the workplace constructing contained in the terminal after the luggage declare – they cost a lot larger costs.
Helpful journey info for Colombia:
Airport wifi and SIM playing cards
I extremely suggest utilizing an e-SIM for the primary few days till you should buy an area SIM card, because the airport wifi is NOT dependable and SIM playing cards are rather more costly on the airport!
Cash
Money is a typical approach to pay for issues in Colombia, although many eating places and retailers within the bigger cities take card funds. Typically you may have to pay on your lodging in money, so be sure to have sufficient and discover out whether or not smaller cities have an ATM earlier than you go.
Pickpocketing is widespread, and muggings usually are not extraordinary. Solely carry the money you want, go to ATMs in the course of the day, and have a minimum of one backup credit score or debit card saved in a separate bag or pocket.
Getting round in Colombia: home flights & buses
Colombia is far greater than I anticipated earlier than I arrived! There are massive distances between locations, so you will want to both fly or take a long-distance bus. I took flights between all cities on my journey.
Getting round in Colombian cities
Uber is affordable and ought to be your go-to for getting residence late at evening and for airport transfers. Native buses are often protected, however you will need to ask at your lodging.
Vaccinations and well being in Colombia
For the Amazon area, contemplate bringing malaria medicine. You have to have a yellow fever vaccination to enter Tayrona Nationwide Park and the Amazon. Bear in mind to get journey insurance coverage earlier than your journey. Water is drinkable in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, and tastes good. Nonetheless, exterior these areas, purchase bottled water, boil it, or deliver a transportable filter or purification tablets.
Security in Colombia
The individuals of Colombia are very pleasant, heat and welcoming! As in each a part of the world, the overwhelming majority of persons are good, and some usually are not. If you’re a solo travelling girl like me, chances are you’ll discover you hear “Oh, ¡que linda/hermosa!” (how stunning) strolling down the road, however catcalling is mostly not aggressive.
I felt fairly protected, however I do suggest you are taking precautions. If you happen to go off the principle vacationer paths, analysis the areas you intend to go to. Be open and join with individuals, however don’t belief too shortly and pay attention to your environment.
There isn’t any one-size-fits-all itinerary for a visit to Colombia, however listed below are just a few of my private favorite locations for the whole Colombia journey:
Bogotá
How lengthy to spend there: If you happen to’re quick on time, 2-3 days will likely be sufficient!
Go for: Tradition, historical past, artwork, and metropolis skyline views from the Cerro de Monserrate (Monserrate hill). Bogotá is a good first vacation spot in Colombia, the place you’ll be able to ease into the native methods whereas immersing your self in native cultural and culinary delights.
See my Bogotá journey information right here.
Cali
How lengthy to spend there: 3-4 days for those who’re on a good schedule, however most individuals keep for per week or a number of to work on their salsa dancing expertise! Don’t fear for those who’ve by no means danced earlier than; most travellers I met right here have been studying for the primary time.
Go for: Study salsa, attempt conventional caleña meals, and go to a salsa present! The town of Cali is taken into account the salsa capital of the world!
Santa Marta, the Sierra Nevada and Minca
How lengthy to spend there: 1-2 nights in Santa Marta, 4 days in Minca – or longer if in case you have time to chill out or do extra hikes!
Go for: Seashore vibes and avenue music in Santa Marta. Waterfalls galore in Minca!! Climbing, sundown spots, butterflies and birds. Cute cafés in Minca city. A terrific place to flee the warmth of the coast, up within the Sierra Nevada mountains! A stunning river runs by the city, which you’ll be able to bathe in.
Easy methods to get there: fly or take a long-distance bus to Santa Marta. From there, buses to Minca are low cost, protected, and go away each 10 minutes. Bear in mind to maintain all your vital objects in your hand baggage as massive baggage do are inclined to get thrown round and are often strapped on the roof. Right here is a hyperlink to the placement of the bus depot on Google Maps.
Palomino
How lengthy to spend there: A minimum of 3 days.
Go for: Enjoyable days on the seashore or by the pool, surf classes, tubing down the river, seashore city nightlife! The city actually consists of 1 primary industrial avenue, so it’s small however cute! Take a look at Gracias Vida café – it has wonderful wifi and a relaxed surroundings to work in, and gives a artistic and wholesome menu!
Easy methods to get there: take a bus from Santa Marta. Buses are low cost and depart from Santa Marta each 10 minutes. Bear in mind to maintain all your vital objects in your hand baggage. You have to pay in money! Right here is a hyperlink to the bus depot in Santa Marta.
Tayrona Nationwide Park
How lengthy to spend there: 2 days (1 evening) within the park itself was sufficient for me, as lodging is mostly fairly rustic (you rent a hammock or a tent), and it does get fairly windy and sizzling, so it may be intense, although stunning! Plan to have a minimum of at some point on both aspect to pack on your hike and unwind afterwards. Alternatively, keep close to the park entrance and do day hikes!
Go for: swimming at stunning tropical seashores, seeing monkeys and different wildlife and driving horses round Cabo San Juan, and visiting the indigenous villages close by. If you happen to sleep in a hammock, select one within the wind to keep away from mosquitoes, and produce a sweater.
Easy methods to get there: take a bus – take a look at my directions above for attending to Palomino; it’s the identical bus, however for Tayrona, it is advisable to get off earlier. The bus can cease just about wherever alongside the principle highway, so sit close to the entrance and ask the driving force to cease close to your lodging.
Necessary:
- You want a yellow fever vaccination to enter the park. They don’t all the time verify, however I’d suggest it, as there are mosquitoes on this space.
- There are three annual park closures for ecological restoration, and their timing can range, so verify park closure dates earlier than you go!
Different well-liked locations
I haven’t personally visited these but, however many travellers I’ve met have really helpful them.
- Medellin for a Comuna 13 tour, bachata dancing and a day journey to the city of Guatapé and to stroll up the gorgeous Piedra del Peñol. I’ve additionally heard that Medellín is a good place to be taught Spanish, with faculties providing aggressive costs and typically together with lodging and meals!
- Salento for horse driving and occasional farms
- Cartagena and the close by islands
- Jardin
- Amazonas, the Colombian Amazon area
Prime suggestions for staying protected in Colombia:
- “No dar papaya” is an area saying that actually interprets to “don’t give papaya”. It means “don’t flash your valuables”. Locals in Colombia observe this rule, as petty theft and muggings can occur. You usually see locals carrying their backpacks in entrance of them, as thieves can unzip baggage from behind when you stroll. Don’t stroll round together with your telephone out. I obtained a strap for my telephone that goes round my wrist to make it much less prone to be snatched.
- Carry a notarised copy of your passport as ID, as an alternative of the passport itself.
- Some vacationers have been harmed once they have stopped to assist individuals on the road (for instance, asking for instructions). If somebody wants assist, transfer to a protected place and name the authorities for help, or go into a store to get assist from an area.
- Bear in mind {that a} very small variety of men and women rob individuals whom they meet on dates, utilizing medicine to incapacitate them. Be cautious about inviting individuals again to your lodging.
- One of the best factor you are able to do on your security at evening is to exit with a gaggle, verify in on one another, and go residence collectively. Don’t stroll the streets alone at evening; take an Uber again to your lodging and between venues.
After saying this, I can’t emphasise sufficient how a lot I like Colombia. The vibrancy of this place is unrivalled – the meals, the individuals, the music, the dancing, the character… I will surely return; I’ve even thought of dwelling there for some time, and lots of digital nomads do, fortunately and safely, for years!
Get pleasure from your planning, and most significantly, take pleasure in your travels to this stunning nation!
Have you ever been to Colombia?
What are the most effective issues to do in Colombia? Something you’d add to this Colombia bucket record?
Esme Heath
Esmé is a sluggish traveller, author, Latin dancer and surfer. She is an English as a international
language instructor, and an avid language learner herself – each new language realized is like becoming a member of a membership! Since graduating along with her diploma in psychology and sociology, she has cherished travelling the world and sharing her reflections and recommendations on tradition, sluggish journey, language immersion, dancing world wide, and other ways of being human on this wild and singular planet of ours! Take a look at Esmé’s web site right here.