Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on
both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Lying to the south of
Panama, Colombia controls the land access between Central and South America.
With Panama to the north, Colombia is surrounded by Venezuela to the east,
Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south west. The country was
named in honor of Christopher Columbus, although he never actually set foot
there.
Capital Bogotá
Government Republic; executive branch dominates government
Currency Colombian peso (COP)
Area 1,138,910 km2
Population 43,593,035 (July 2006 est.)
Language Spanish
Religion Roman Catholic 90%
Calling Code +57
Internet TLD .co
Time Zone UTC -5
Cities
Bogotá - The Republic's Capital, a city where all the country
converges. Bogotá hosts various internationally acclaimed events such as the
Iberoamerican Theatre Festival (largest one on Earth) and "Rock to the
Park", a concert featuring rock stars from around the globe. The city also
offers a great variety of restaurants and museums, such as Andrés Carne de
Res and the National Museum of Colombia.
Barranquilla - Colombia's Golden Port and capital of the Atlántico
department. Barranquilla holds its world famous Carnival each February.
Cartagena - The Heroic City, Capital of the Bolívar department is
Colombia's tourist city by excellence. The colonial architecture and the
skyscrapers can be be seen together in this city that offers a unique
experience of festivals, restaurants and hotels.
Pereira - The lovely City , capital of the Risaralda department and
major city of the coffee region, important and modern city, commercial and
touristic. The famous "Bolivar naked" and Matecana Zoo. Very near to Santa
Rosa hot spring and the National Park of "Los Nevados".
Manizales - capital of the Caldas department. A city full of parks and
republican architecture, is one of the getaways to the coffee region.
Medellín - The City of Eternal Spring and capital of the Antioquia
department is famous for having a large textile industry, which produces top
quality clothing that is sent all over the world. It's also the birthplace
of master painter Fernando Botero, therefore it houses the great majority of
his works.
Popayan - This beautiful, white-washed city is Colombia's religious
center. Home to the second largest Easter festival in the world (after
Seville, Spain), this town has contributed more Colombian presidents than
any other. Bordered by the Purace National Park and gateway to the
archeological sites of San Agustin and Tierra Dentro in nearby Huilla.
Santa Marta - One of the most touristic cities in Colombia, capital of
the Magdalena department. Santa Marta is unique in the sense that it offers
you beautiful beaches one day, and the next one a walk to the foothill of a
snowy mountain, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest in the
country. It's also the place where Liberator General Simón Bolívar died, at
La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino.
Leticia - Capital of the Amazonas department, this city is the a place
to experience the Colombian Amazon in its full.
Understand
Although there is a certain amount of violence in remote areas, the current
government has increased its presence in the countryside and in all major
tourist areas, so whereas in the past travel might have been risky, this is
no longer the case except in the areas of known guerrilla presence.
Traveling in Colombia is definitely worthwhile. From Bogota, with a
temperate climate 2,600 m (8530 ft) above sea level and at a constant
temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, a drive of one or two hours North, South,
East or West can take you to landscapes which are as diverse as they are
beautiful. To the East are the oriental plains which stretch out far beyond
the horizon with little modulation. To the North are the more rugged
contours of the higher Andean region. To the South the weather is
sub-tropical and has flora and fauna concomitant with this, and to the West
you can find the Magdalena River valley and its hot weather. Colombia is one
of the equatorial countries of the world, but unique in its extreme
topography and abundance of water.
Climate
The climate is tropical along coast and eastern plains; cold in the
highlands; periodic droughts. Colombia is an equatorial country, so there
are no seasons in the common sense of the word. Temperatures do not vary
much throughout the year. What Colombians normally refer to as the winter is
the rainy season. Cities such as Bogotá, Tunja, and Pasto have been known to
reach temperatures under 0 degrees Celsius, so if you are sensitive to cold
weather be prepared.
Terrain
Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern
lowland plains
Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional
earthquakes. Recent volcanic disaster occurred in Armero, 1985. 25,000
people were buried by lahars that the Nevado del Ruiz produced.
Highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m (18950 ft) of the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta. The mountain is the world's highest coastal range. note:
nearby Pico Simon Bolivar has the same elevation
History
Colombia became independent from Spain in 1819. It was one of the five
countries liberated by Simon Bolivar (the others being Ecuador, Venezuela,
Peru and Bolivia). Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama then formed the
first Republic of Colombia. Ecuador and Venezuela declared their
independence from Colombia in 1830. Panama declared its independence from
Colombia in 1903 with the support of the United States of America. A 40-year
communist insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated
during the 1990s, under girded in part by funds from the drug trade.
Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the rural countryside
are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or
popular support necessary to overthrow the government. Illegal
anti-insurgent paramilitary groups have grown to be several thousand strong
in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and
illicit industries such as the drug trade and also the government's ability
to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogotá continues to try to
negotiate a settlement, neighboring countries worry about the violence
spilling over their borders.
Get in
-By plane
There are regular international flights into major cities including Bogotá,
Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Pereira and San Andres Islands as
well as to other smaller cities in the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador.
There are daily direct flights to and from the U.S, Canada, Mexico, Costa
Rica, Panama, Spain, France, and South America.
Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airports. A taxi
ride from the airport to the central business district in Bogota, takes
approximately 20 minutes.
-By car
Enter from Venezuela by the San Cristobal-Cúcuta / Maracaibo-Maicao pass.
Enter from Ecuador by the Tulcán-Ipiales(Rumichaca) pass.
-By bus
Connections can be made from the Caracas main terminal to most cities in
Colombia. From the main terminal, Maracaibo (Venezuela) you can find buses
that run to the cities (Cartagena, Baranquilla, Santa Marta) on the coast.
The border at Maicao provides a relatively easy, straightforward entry into
Colombia from Venezuela.
It is very straightforward to enter Colombia from Ecuador. Travel to Tulcan,
where you can get a taxi to the border. Get your exit stamps from the
immigration offices and take another taxi to Ipiales. From there you can
travel further to Cali, Bogotá, ...
You can't cross from Panama to Colombia by bus--the Darien Gap begins at
Yaviza, where the Interamericana runs out.
Visa
Most Western countries don't need a visa. American citizens do not need a
visa unless they are staying for more than 90 days. Colombian authorities
will give American citizens an on-arrival visa free of charge, which is
printed onto your passport and lets the person stay for a maximum of 60 to
90 days. It's very hard to get 90 days tourist visa on arrival. Immigration
officers will ask you to show all the tickets of your route for it. Irish
citizens do not need to apply for a visa at a Colombian embassy anymore, and
should have the same treatment at entrance as any other traveler from other
parts of the world.
Visa Extension
You can apply for a one-month visa extension at a DAS-office in most cities,
which costs around COP $60.000. You need two copies of your passport's main
page, two copies of the page with the entrance stamp, two copies of a ticket
en route out of the country, and four photographs. The procedure takes some
time and includes taking your fingerprints. The maximum length of stay can
not exceed 6 months in 1 year with a tourist visa.
Get around
-By plane
The most important domestic carriers in Colombia. Avianca (including SAM),
Aero Republica, Satena and Aires have well-kept fleets and regular service
to major towns and cities in Colombia. The major Colombian airports have
been certified as "Highly Safe" by international organizations.
-By train
There is limited train service in Colombia. There is metro service in
Medellin and its surroundings.
-By car
Driving is on the right hand side of the road-most cars have standard
transmissions. Colombia's fleet is composed mainly of cars with 4-Cylinder
engines that are of European and Japanese manufacture. Foreign visitors may
drive if they show an international driver's license (a multilingual
endorsement card issued by automobile and driver's clubs around the world).
Insurance is cheap and mandatory.
The speed limit in residential areas is 30 km/h (19 mph), and in urban areas
it is 60 km/h (37 mph). There is a national speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).
The country has a well-maintained network of roads that connect all major
cities in the Andean areas, as well as the ones in the Caribbean Coast.
There may be significant landslides on roads and highways during the rainy
season (November to February), by which traffic gets interrupted. This
usually is resolved within 6 hours to 4 days. There are many toll crossings;
the fee is about US$3.00. There are also plenty of dirt roads of variable
quality. International land travel is only possible to Ecuador and
Venezuela.
By bus
Travel by bus is widespread and has different levels of quality. The longer
the distance, the newer and more comfortable the service is. In Bogotá you
can find the Transmilenio and in Pereira the Megabús, highly efficient and
neat bus transit systems that are spreading to other cities.
It is highly recommended that you keep an eye on your belongings and that
you do not carry valuables, excess cash (more than $20,000 COP visible) or
unnecessary items. Never accept food or drinks from strangers. Avoid talking
to strangers at bus stops or terminals. It's best to travel together with
Colombian friends. It is possible you may be stopped at police check points.
A calm attitude is the best key to avoid inconveniences. Long-distance trips
rarely cost over US$55.00 (one way).
-By metro
There is only one metro system in Colombia. It is in Medellin, in the
Antioquia department. It connects the cities that make up what is known as
"Medellin" - Line A departs from Itagüí to Niquía ,Line B from San Antonio
to San Javíer and Line K(Metrocable) from Acevedo to Santo Domingo Savio.
The metro is made up of two light rail lines, and one line called the
MetroCable. Riding it is a unique experience, as passengers travel up the
mountains in gondolas. The MetroCable has four stations, including the
transfer to the north-south line. There is a police presence in each metro
station; however, they are very courteous towards tourists.
-By Taxi
The taxi networks in big cities such as in Bogota are extensive and very
cheap. A taxi journey across Bogota, can take up to a day but cost less than
US$15.If you order a taxi by phone the company will then give you the taxi
registration number. Then the taxi will be waiting at the given address.
During the day some taxi ranks outside hotels, office buildings and
government offices will only allow certified drivers and companies and will
also take your name and details when you board the taxi. Taxis from city to
city are easy to arrange by phoning ahead and agreeing the price, it will
still be cheap by western standards and is safe and quite agreeable.
Every taxi has a plastic covered price sheet hanging over the front seat
which shows you the fares. You look at the meter and then the fare guide and
you have the amount you need to pay. Fares on Sundays and nights go up so be
ready for the difference. Unlike many other countries it is not customary to
tip the taxi driver. It's up to the individual. Many taxis are not allowed
to travel outside of Bogota due to boundary restrictions with their
licences. You should always make arrangements to travel outside of Bogota by
taxi ahead of time.
Talk
Languages: Spanish
If you've recently learned Spanish, its a relief to know that the Colombian
variety is clear and easy to understand. The Spanish does vary, however,
from Cartagena to Bogota to Cali. Generally the Spanish on the coasts is
spoken more rapidly, and Spanish from Medellin has its own idiosyncrasies.
Note that in cities like Cali, the dialect of Spanish is the voseo form.
Meaning that instead of the first person familiar pronoun tú, vos is used
instead. Though tú is also understood by the people of Cali.
English is taught in school, and Colombians are often exposed to subtitled
Hollywood films, so while shy many Colombians know at least a few basic
phrases in English. Expect to meet teenage Colombians who will want to
practice their English skills with you.
Colombians from more affluent backgrounds will have lived and worked in the
U.S., Canada, England and possibly Australia in order to learn English. Many
university text books are in English, and the majority of high ranking
professionals, executives and government workers in Colombia speak some
English.
French and German are also spoken, but to a much lesser extent.
Buy
Colombia is a very nice place to buy things.
The Colombian textile industry is well-recognized and reputable around South
America and Europe. Clothing and lingerie are particularly regarded as high
quality and very affordable. Leather garments, shoes and accessories are
also of interests for foreigners. The best place to buy either clothing or
lingerie is Medellin, known for being the fashion capital of the country.
You can get very high quality at a very low cost.
Colombian emeralds and gold (18k) jewelry can also be very attractive for
visitors. A very Colombian style of jewelry is the copies of precolombian
jewelry, which are fabricated with gold, silver and semiprecious stones.
The "mochila" is a traditional, indigenous, hand-woven Colombian bag,
normally worn over the shoulder. They are commonly sold in shopping malls,
especially in the Santa Marta/El Rodadero area. Mochilas usually come in
three sizes - a large one to carry bigger things, a medium one to carry
personal belongings, and a small one to carry coca leaves. Coca leaves were
carried by the natives to eliminate hunger, and to combat altitude sickness.
Handicrafts such as intricately designed jewelery are commonly sold in
markets and on street corners. Many street vendors will approach people,
selling t-shirts, shorts, glasses, bracelets, watches, necklaces, souvenirs,
and novelty photographs. If you want to buy something, this is a good time
to exercise your bartering skills. Usually you go down by 2,000 to 3,000
pesos, however 2,000 is the generally accepted rule. For example, if someone
is selling a shirt for P$10,000, try asking if you can pay P$8,000. Go from
there.
If you don't want to buy anything, a simple gracias, ("thank you") and a
non-committal wave of your hand will deter would-be sellers.