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General Information on Columbia
Columbia has several vibrant, modern cities with soaring skyscrapers and great shopping. There are also many nice port towns filled with cobbled streets and alleys with homes that are sometimes almost covered completely with bougainvillea. The spectacular national parks range from tropical to heavenly-high-alpine areas. Visitors can enjoy cruise boats, party buses, late-night salsa dancing and glorious shopping. On the surface, all of this makes Columbia a seemingly untroubled country. However, there are frequent media reports of coca fields, violent crime and kidnappings. Beyond the headlines is a thriving society with a rising middle class, some of the best health care and universities in South America, and improved security. Contact the Consul General of Colombia at 404-237-1045, extensions 21-24 for travel and destination information on Columbia.
Passports and Visas
When to go
Travel Warnings and General Safety
Currency
Electrical Information
Language

When it comes to travel guides and other travel resource information, I personally prefer the travel guides and books put out by Fodor.

Passports and Visas

Check this chart to see what you need for entry into Columbia

Passports
A Passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of the visit is required by all.

Visas
Required by all except the following for up to 180 days:
►1. nationals listed in the table above (except for nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia);
►nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The Philippines, Romania, San Marino, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Further, more detailed information can be found on the E-World Guide.

When to go
Between December and March or July and August would probably be the most pleasant time to visit Colombia is this is normally their dry seasons. This es especially true if you plan to do some on hiking. And, as many festivals and fiestas take place during these times, it also gives visitors a better chance to savor local cultural events. This leads to the very best times to visit, and that would be during the Colombian holiday periods.

There are basically three high seasons for tourists both outside of Colombia, and with the Colombians themselves: from late December to mid-January, during Semana Santa (Holy Week; March or April), and from mid-June to mid-July. You might also want to visit during one of the many rural getaways, such as Villa de Leyva; and regional celebrations, such as Carnaval in Barranquilla. Although these are good times to visit, they are also times with you will find that transport gets more crowded, hotels tend to fill up faster and prices may rise.

Areas to avoid include Chocó, Putumayo and anywhere east of the Andes. In April 2007 a car bomb exploded in Cali, sparking fears that a renewed campaign of violence in urban areas by the FARC may be underway. Travelers should monitor the news for any details of further attacks and respect any local advice regarding safety. I would suggest you check the current warnings and advisories before you plan your visit.

Currency
The currency n Columbia is the Colombian Peso (Code: COP - Symbol: Col$). The Colombian peso comes in paper notes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000. Forged peso notes do exist, so watch exactly what you get. In contrast to perfect dollar fakes, peso forgeries are usually of poor quality and easy to recognize. Peso coins come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. Be aware that there are some fake 1000-peso coins in circulation; many businesses don't accept them and neither should you. Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate

Although Visa is the widely accepted credit card in Columbin, you can also use other cards for car rental, air tickets and in most top-end hotels and restaurants. You should check ahead to make sure that your credit card witll be accepted there. Also, you may need another pin number to use andy of the money machines. Plastic money is also becoming popular for purchasing goods and payment for services in many other commercial establishments. There are an increasing number of cajeros automáticos (automatic teller machines); these accept Visa and MasterCard and pay out in pesos. This helps tremendously when exchanging curency. But again, be sure to check with your bank to make sure your pin will work in the teller machines in Columbia.

Changing Your Money - You can change cash (and sometimes travelers cheques) at casas de cambio (authorized money-exchange offices) found in almost all major cities and border towns. The best rates are normally at a bank or at one of the automatic teller mahines. Do your best to avoid street dealers except where there's no alternative. In Cartagena, they're particularly notorious for ripping off tourists.

Money Tips - Few Colombian banks deal in foreign exchange but you can usually count on Bancolombia to change US dollars and travelers checks. Changing travelers checks can become very difficult and takes a long time as photocopies need to be made, finger prints given and passports inspected. Ask for cash in large quantities to avoid going back frequently. Banco Unión Colombiano also provides these services, but there are fewer branches. Half a dozen other banks, with branches across the country, have ATMs that accept Visa, Mastercard and Cirrus.

Tipping - Tipping is essentially limited to upscale restaurants (leave about 10% of the bill, but first be sure that the tip has not already been included in your bill) and the better hotels. As in most neighboring countries, bargaining is limited to informal trade and services, such as markets, street stalls, taxis, and sometimes long-distance buses.

Electrical Information
The country runs on 110V 60Hz. Below is an example of what the recepticals look like.

Find the converter you will need in the Getting Away Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you need in the Getting Away Travel Store!

The official language of Columbia is Spanish. Even if you are not fluent in Spanish, you should not have many major problems in the larger cities and tourist areas. In rural areas, you may encounter some problems. It is always good to know some of the language and to carry a phrase book with you.

You will enjoy your visit to Argentina if you know the language - or at least, some of the language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center to find out how you can make your visit more meaningful. The Getting Away Language Learning Center will give you all of the information you will need to begin learning today!

If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Accommodations in Columbia

¿Buscas hoteles? Compara más de 30 sitios de hoteles aquí!

• Styled with elegant sophistication and enhanced with the residential comforts of home
• Amenity-laden to accommodate the needs of both the business and leisure traveler
• This hotel has a smoke-free policy

For additional information, or to make reservations, click on JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts or on Marriott.

The Bogota Marriott hotel is located in a vibrant business hub, just 10 minutes from Intl. airport El Dorado. Innovative interior design with a modern art concept throughout the hotel. Luxury rooms equipped with high speed internet, work desk, plug panel, i-pod and mp3 dock ,37' flat panel LCD, luxurious and spacious executive suites, amenities, and all the facilities you need for your business trip, exclusive executive lounge, versatile and technological meeting rooms to hold your most important corporate or social events with world class service. Exclusive sound proof program in rooms to guarantee you the best rest. Indoor lap pool, gym and health club. Exquisite and elegant Italian food restaurant, sushi and tapas bar to relax, taste a drink, and enjoy your favorite music. Stepping out of this Luxury hotel you will find 2 of the most important and recognized shopping malls and the Chamber of Commerce. Sophistication and brand recognition make us one of the best hotels in Bogota. For additional information, or to make reservations, click on Marriott.

Click on Search By City For Hotels And Other Accommodations in Argentina. There is never a booking charge when you book on any hotel listed on the Search By City For Hotels And Other Accommodations in Argentina link. However, each individual hotel or hotel group may have cancellation charges. Be sure to check the cancellation policy for the hotel before you book. Both of these sites will keep you on the Getting Away travel site where you can always expect the best prices and quality services.

If you choose to use one of the many Internet hotel search engines, or other companies such as: Expedia.com, Hotwire, Hotels.com,  HotelClub, HotelPronto, Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, 1.800.USA Hotels and more; you can find them on the Getting Away Accommodations Information Pages. However, remember that when you leave Getting Away and book with one of the other companies, you are bound by their policies for charges such as reservation and cancellation charges. Your best bet - stay with Getting Away - your Internet travel company with a personal touch. Jim.

If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Getting To and Around in Columbia
Getting There
Most visitors use Colombia's major international airport in Bogotá - others include Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali and San Andrés. Colombia has good and relatively cheap air links with Europe and North America. There's an airport tax on international flights. You will want to be sure to reconfirm your booking 72 hours in advance.

If you are planning on driving to Columbia, you will find that the road connections with Venezuela and Ecuador are pretty easy and popular. It is not advisible to attempt to cross at the Panamanian border that stretches across the infamous Darien Gap. This is a rugged and hostile area of swamps, jungle and guerrillas. In additin, anyone planning to cross at Arauca-El Amparo de Apure or Puerto Carreño-Puerto Páez should consult their embassy for security information.

There are ports on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts that makes it possible to arrive or leave by boat. Sea traffic is busier on the Caribbean side at the ports of Baranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta and Turbo. The major port on the Pacific side is Buenaventura.

At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also find Great Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on Hotel Deals, hundreds of Cruise Deals, some of the Top Vacation Deals deals on the Internet and much more. You can click on the Weather Center to see what the weather will be like at your destination, and even use their Currency Converter So you will be ready to go as soon as your arrive. At Travelocity, you can find it all.

Getting Around
The cheapest and most efficient to get around is by bus. Although they tend to be pretty slow, the routes are extensive and the are still considered the main form of transport. When visiting Bogotá, use TransMilenio - a fast urban bus service. In Medellín, use the city's high-speed metro. A taxi can also be a good value, and some can even be chartered for long trips. Car and motorcycle travel can be expensive and dangerous, with theft the main problem. For something different, try a chiva (an old-style, wooden bus) or collectivo (a cross between a bus and taxi).

Getting Around Avianca is Colombia's flagship airline. Others include AeroRebública, Aires and Satena. Fares can be high but newer airlines offer cheap promotions. There's an airport tax on domestic flights.

As the highway rules favor powered vehicles, cycling isn't easy in Colombia. Most roads are paved and security is improving. Bike rentals are uncommon but you can buy one almost anywhere.

If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Cities, Towns and Areas of Columbia

Bogota Mompós Popayán Santa Fe de Antioquia Villa de Leyva Bogota The JWMarriott Bogota Hotel is strategically located in the financial center of Bogotá, near of anything you need: stores, business, banks, corporate offices like American Express, BID, World Bank, Citibank, Cysco, Coca Cola and others. Leisure activities, one of the best gourmet areas known as G Zone and much more. A few steps from the hotel you will find "Avenida Chile" shopping mall, with a lot of commercial stores, movie theaters and clothing stores, also you will find Teatro Nacional of Bogota, embassies and consulates. Whether visiting beautiful Bogota, for business or leisure, enjoy all comfort and luxury of JW Marriott. Styled with elegant sophistication and enhanced with the residential comforts of home Amenity-laden to accommodate the needs of both the business and leisure traveler This hotel has a smoke-free policy For additional information, or to make reservations, click on JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts or on Marriott. The Bogota Marriott hotel is located in a vibrant business hub, just 10 minutes from Intl. airport El Dorado. Innovative interior design with a modern art concept throughout the hotel. Luxury rooms equipped with high speed internet, work desk, plug panel, i-pod and mp3 dock ,37' flat panel LCD, luxurious and spacious executive suites, amenities, and all the facilities you need for your business trip, exclusive executive lounge, versatile and technological meeting rooms to hold your most important corporate or social events with world class service. Exclusive sound proof program in rooms to guarantee you the best rest. Indoor lap pool, gym and health club. Exquisite and elegant Italian food restaurant, sushi and tapas bar to relax, taste a drink, and enjoy your favorite music. Stepping out of this Luxury hotel you will find 2 of the most important and recognized shopping malls and the Chamber of Commerce. Sophistication and brand recognition make us one of the best hotels in Bogota. For additional information, or to make reservations, click on Marriott. Mompós Located in the northern Colombian interior, a visit to Mompós is like being transported into the early colonial times. For americans, although the area is certainly unique in Colombia, you might thing you are in the bayous of Mississippi. The town was founded in 1537 on the eastern branch of the Río Magdalena. It soon became an important port through which all merchandise from Cartagena passed to the interior of the colony. Toward the end of the 19th century  shipping was diverted to the other branch of the Magdalena. This pretty much ended the town's prosperity and left us with the curret colonial character of Mompós with old churches, whitewashed houses with wrought-iron grilles, and people in rocking chairs watching the tourists that are watching them. Popayán Founded in 1537, this is one of Colombia's most beautiful old towns. The town is an historic site and the beautifully whitewashed buildings are not there just for the tourists - it is just the way the people here want to live. You will find this living museum-styled town filled with bustling streets filled with shops. There is also a sizable student population. The town has long been and importnant political, cultural and religious center and you will find several imposing churches and monasteries that were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the fine Iglesia de San Francisco.

Santa Fe de Antioquia
This is another Colombian town that seems to have stopped growing in the 18th century. Santa Fe de Antioquia is in the heart of paisa (Antioquian) country and is filled with cobbled streets, colonial churches and lavish carved doorways. You will enjoy walking around this 500-year-old whitewashed town and doing a bit of shopping. Be sure to find some of the pulpa de tamarindo , the beloved local sour-sweet candy made with tamarind.

Villa de Leyva
Declared a national monument in 1954, this town that was founded in 1572 has become a colonial town par excellence. The town has been preserved in its entirety, including the impressive Plaza Mayor thtat is lined with whitewashed colonial houses and churches. Villa enjoys a dry, mild climate and is within easy reach of the capital, making it a popular weekend getaway for Bogotános as well as a nice day-trip for tourists.

If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Attractions and Things to See and Do
Mompós
Parque Nacional Los Nevados
Parque Nacional Tayrona
San Agustí
Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral

Mompós
Located in the northern Colombian interior, a visit to Mompós is like being transported into the early colonial times. For americans, although the area is certainly unique in Colombia, you might thing you are in the bayous of Mississippi. The town was founded in 1537 on the eastern branch of the Río Magdalena. It soon became an important port through which all merchandise from Cartagena passed to the interior of the colony. Toward the end of the 19th century  shipping was diverted to the other branch of the Magdalena. This pretty much ended the town's prosperity and left us with the curret colonial character of Mompós with old churches, whitewashed houses with wrought-iron grilles, and people in rocking chairs watching the tourists that are watching them.

Parque Nacional Los Nevados
The 17,500-foot Nevado del Ruiz tops this snow-caked range of volcanic peaks and offers some of the most stunning views in the Colombian Andes. The area is full of fine hiking trails through cloud forest. From the snowline at the end of the access road, the hike to the summit of the still-active Nevado del Ruiz takes about three hours. As there is no public transportation in the park, the best way to visit is on a tour organized in Manizales. The best months for trekking are January and February.

Parque Nacional Tayrona
This is one of the most popular national parks in Columbia. The area is filled with beautiful beaches set in deep bays and shaded with waving coconut palms. Some of the beaches are bordered by coral reefs offering some great snorkeling oppotunities. However, as there can be treacherous offshore currents, it is best to check with the locals to find the safe places. The region was once home to the Tayrona Indians.

San Agustí
With over 500 statues and stone tombs from a civilization that existed long before the Europeans arrived, San Agusti is one of South America's most important archaeological sites. Although scattered over a wide area around the upper Río Magdalena gorge, most of the statues are in two main sites - Parque Arqueológico and Alto de los Ídolos.

If you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Dining in Columbia

Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information that you believe should be added to this section, please send it to me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Links for Columbia
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.