Colombia

At A glance

Capital City: Bogota

Land size: 1,038,700 sq km

Population: 49,059,221 (2022 est.)

Official language: Spanish

Currency: Colombian peso ($ / COP)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia
• Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox
• National Archeological Park of Tierradentro, Cartagena (Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments)
• Qhapaq Ñan (Andean Road System)
• San Agustín Archaeological Park
• Los Katíos National Park
• Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
• Chiribiquete National Park  (“The Maloca of the Jaguar”)

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/


Colombia us a country rich in natural wonders and cultural treasures. Discover the historic charm of Villa de Leyva, with its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and lively town square. Immerse yourself in the magical landscapes of the Cocora Valley, home to towering wax palm trees and picturesque hiking trails. Venture into the llanos, where exotic wildlife and Casanare cultures thrive.
Colombia is a country that will captivate your senses and leave you with a deep appreciation for its incredible diversity.

Colombia’s diverse terrain and rich equestrian heritage make it a great horse riding holiday destination. Explore the stunning coffee plantations on horseback, riding through verdant hills and learning about Colombia's renowned coffee culture. Journey into the rugged mountains of the Andes, traversing ancient trails and marveling at breathtaking vistas.
Get ready to create lifelong memories as you uncover the soul of Colombia from the back of a horse, forging unforgettable connections with nature, culture, and the spirit of this captivating country.

 

Brief History

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela).

A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes.

Despite decades of internal conflict, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/

 

Cultural Insights

Most middle-class families eat elaborate meals that reflect Spanish and indigenous traditions. A typical meal is identified by size rather than content, such as a light breakfast, a substantive midday lunch, and a lighter meal in the early evening. Dinner consists of fresh fruit, homemade soup, and a main dish with meat or fish accompanied by rice and/or potatoes. Meals usually end with a very sweet dessert, frequently made from panela, a type of brown sugar.

Social interaction in the upper class is generally formal and respectful. The members of lower socioeconomic groups from the interior pride themselves on their good manners. Unlike their coastal counterparts, lower class individuals in the interior express mutual respect for each other and their elders; women are treated respectfully and given special attention.

Personal space is highly regarded, so conversations take place at arm's length. The violation of this space even in crowded stores and museums is considered disrespectful and hostile. Exceptions occur in crowded bus stations and on buses. Formal greetings among strangers are mandated, whereas salutations among acquaintances are informal.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html

 

Transportation

By Air

El Dorado International Airport serves the capital of Colombia, Bogota, and is the country's main gateway. The airport offers significant domestic connections, handling 50% of the country's air traffic, while a range of international carriers provide services to destinations in Latin America, North America and Europe.

Source: https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airports/bogota-el-dorado-international-airport-bog

 

Money

US dollars and Euros are widely exchangeable.

Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted in Colombia but use with care and keep receipts. When using an ATM, try to do so during business hours inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building. Be particularly vigilant before and after using an ATM on the street - robberies are common, especially at night.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia

 

Health

Medical facilities in Colombia vary widely in quality. In large cities and state capitals, private clinics provide good quality care for routine treatments and complex treatment. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Not all travel health insurance policies provide cover for private or emergency medical care so check your policy before travelling.
Public health facilities and those in smaller cities are generally ill equipped and poorly funded.

Hospitals and doctors often require payment upfront prior to service or admission.  Credit card payment is frequently, but not always, available. Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.

Medical staff may speak little or no English.

Ambulance services are widely available in larger cities, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulance services in remote areas are unreliable and public hospitals often lack adequate medical supplies. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.
Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.

You can find most medication in pharmacies in large cities, but medicine for complex treatment may be unavailable in rural areas and small towns. You may need a prescription from a local doctor to get some controlled medicine.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Travelers can check with the Embassy of Colombia in the United States to ensure the medication is legal in Colombia.
Pharmacies in Colombia are known as “droguerías”. They can be identified with a cross on the logo and can be easily accessed in the main cities in Colombia, but are less accessible in rural areas. You should note that prescriptions must be written in Spanish, in the metric system and using the medicine’s generic name.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, you should dial 123 to ask for assistance (in Spanish). Contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Tap water is safe to drink only in Bogota. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.  Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Many cities in Colombia, such as Bogota, are at high altitude.  Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take precautions before you travel. 

Air pollution is a problem in several major cities in Colombia.  Consider the impact smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary. 

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Colombia.html

 

Electricity

Colombia operates on a 110V supply voltage and uses type A and B plugs.

The Type A electrical plug (or flat blade attachment plug) is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel pins. Although the American and Japanese plugs appear identical, the neutral pin on the American plug is wider than the live pin, whereas on the Japanese plug both pins are the same size. As a result, Japanese plugs can be used in the US but often not the other way around.

The Type B electrical plug has two flat parallel pins and a round grounding (or earth) pin. The earth pin is longer than the other two so that the device is grounded before the power is connected. As with the type A plugs, the American and Japanese versions vary slightly.

The pins on Type A and Type B plugs have a hole near the tip that fits into ‘bumps’ found on the contact wipers of some sockets, so that the pins are gripped more tightly allowing for better contact and also to prevent the plug from slipping out of the socket. Some sockets have spring-action blades that grip the sides of the pins, making the holes obsolete.

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Colombia: Colombia Standard Time (GMT-5)

International country code – 57

The mobile broadband market was the standout performer in 2020, with a 13% increase in the number of subscribers year-on-year. Most significant of all was the surge in mobile broadband traffic a 51% increase over the previous year. (2022)

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/


Phrasebook

English	Spanish
Hello!	Hola
Goodbye	Adiós
Good morning	Buenos días
Good evening	Buenos tardes
Good night	Buenas noches
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias
Yes	Sí
No	No

Source: https://www.linguahouse.com/phrasebook/english-spanish/basic-words-and-phrases/basic-words-and-phrases

 

Entry Requirements

Citizens of certain countries need to present a tourist visa to gain entry. These can be processed at the Colombian embassies and consulates abroad. You can check if you need a visa or not in the link below:
https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visa/requirements

Source: https://colombia.travel/en/practical-information/visas-and-embassies

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Bogota
Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogotá, D.C. Colombia
Phone: (+57) (1) 275-2000


Embassy of Canada in Bogota
Carrera 7, No. 114-33, Piso 14, Bogotá, D.C. Colombia
Phone: (57-601) 657-9800

Honorary Consul of Canada in Cartagena
Carrera 2 No. 8-146, Of. 313, Centro Comercial Bocagrande Cartagena, Colombia
Phone: (57-605) 652-5783

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia
An exceptional example of a sustainable and productive cultural landscape that is unique and representative of a tradition that is a strong symbol for coffee growing areas worldwide - encompasses six farming landscapes, which include 18 urban centres on the foothills of the western and central ranges of the Cordillera de los Andes in the west of the country. It reflects a centennial tradition of coffee growing in small plots in the high forest and the way farmers have adapted cultivation to difficult mountain conditions. The urban areas, mainly situated on the relatively flat tops of hills above sloping coffee fields, are characterized by the architecture of the Antioquian colonization with Spanish influence. Building materials were, and remain in some areas, cob and pleated cane for the walls with clay tiles for the roofs.

Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox
Founded in 1540 on the banks of the River Magdalena, Mompox played a key role in the Spanish colonization of northern South America. From the 16th to the 19th century the city developed parallel to the river, with the main street acting as a dyke. The historic centre has preserved the harmony and unity of the urban landscape. Most of the buildings are still used for their original purposes, providing an exceptional picture of what a Spanish colonial city was like.

National Archeological Park of Tierradentro
Several monumental statues of human figures can be seen in the park, which also contains many hypogea dating from the 6th to the 10th century. These huge underground tombs (some burial chambers are up to 12 m wide) are decorated with motifs that reproduce the internal decor of homes of the period. They reveal the social complexity and cultural wealth of a pre-Hispanic society in the northern Andes.

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments of Cartagena
Situated in a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena has the most extensive fortifications in South America. A system of zones divides the city into three neighbourhoods: San Pedro, with the cathedral and many Andalusian-style palaces; San Diego, where merchants and the middle class lived; and Gethsemani, the 'popular quarter'.

Qhapaq Ñan (Andean Road System)
This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. Constructed by the Incas over several centuries and partly based on pre-Inca infrastructure, this extraordinary network through one of the world’s most extreme geographical terrains linked the snow-capped peaks of the Andes – at an altitude of more than 6,000 m – to the coast, running through hot rainforests, fertile valleys and absolute deserts. It reached its maximum expansion in the 15th century, when it spread across the length and breadth of the Andes. The Qhapac Ñan, Andean Road System includes 273 component sites spread over more than 6,000 km that were selected to highlight the social, political, architectural and engineering achievements of the network, along with its associated infrastructure for trade, accommodation and storage, as well as sites of religious significance.

San Agustín Archaeological Park
The largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures in South America stands in a wild, spectacular landscape. Gods and mythical animals are skilfully represented in styles ranging from abstract to realist. These works of art display the creativity and imagination of a northern Andean culture that flourished from the 1st to the 8th century.

Los Katíos National Park
Extending over 72,000 ha in north-western Colombia, Los Katios National Park comprises low hills, forests and humid plains. An exceptional biological diversity is found in the park, which is home to many threatened animal species, as well as many endemic plants.

Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Located some 506 km off the coast of Colombia, the site includes Malpelo island (350 ha) and the surrounding marine environment (857,150 ha). This vast marine park, the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, provides a critical habitat for internationally threatened marine species, and is a major source of nutrients resulting in large aggregations of marine biodiversity. It is in particular a ‘reservoir' for sharks, giant grouper and billfish and is one of the few places in the world where sightings of the short-nosed ragged-toothed shark, a deepwater shark, have been confirmed. Widely recognized as one of the top diving sites in the world, due to the presence of steep walls and caves of outstanding natural beauty, these deep waters support important populations of large predators and pelagic species (e.g. aggregations of over 200 hammerhead sharks and over 1,000 silky sharks, whale sharks and tuna have been recorded) in an undisturbed environment where they maintain natural behavioural patterns.

Chiribiquete National Park – “The Maloca of the Jaguar”
Chiribiquete National Park, the largest protected area in Colombia, is the confluence point of four biogeographical provinces: Amazon, Andes, Orinoco and Guyana. As such, the National Park guarantees the connectivity and preservation of the biodiversity of these provinces, constituting itself as an interaction scenario in which flora and fauna diversity and endemism have flourished. One of the defining features of Chiribiquete is the presence of tepees (table-top mountains), sheer-sided sandstone plateaux that outstand in the forest and result in dramatic scenery that is reinforced by its remoteness, inaccessibility and exceptional conservation. Over 75,000 figures have been made by indigenous people on the walls of the 60 rock shelters from 20,000 BCE, and are still made nowadays by the uncontacted peoples protected by the National Park. These paintings depict hunting scenes, battles, dances and ceremonies, as well as fauna and flora species, with a particular the worship of the jaguar, a symbol of power and fertility. The indigenous communities, which are not directly present on the site, consider Chiribiquete as a sacred place that cannot be visited and that should be preserved unaltered.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/co