Thhings You Should Know When You Are Traveling to Cali Colombia
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Thinking nigh visiting Republic of colombia? Information technology's a stunning country, with and then much to offer – from amazing hiking trails to incredibly gorgeous white sand beaches.
Just, equally with whatsoever new place y'all visit, information technology's important to fairly prepare yourself for the upcoming trip.
Travel to Colombia is very unlike from traveling to Paris. You have to consider things like vaccines, local currency, language barriers and prophylactic – something you lot don't really call up about when visiting European cities.
Which is exactly why we bring you this guide on Republic of colombia travel tips you should know before your trip.
Things to Know Before Visiting Colombia
It'south Colombia, Not Columbia
First thing's first – before you visit this stunning country in South America, you demand to know how information technology's properly spelled. And information technology is Colombia, non Columbia.
Don't feel bad if you thought it was the latter – it's a very mutual mistake.
Colombians are Friendly
If you really make the effort to learn just plenty Spanish to be able to communicate with the locals, you tin can meet some really incredible people.
This is peculiarly true for people who are guides for the gratuitous walking tours, which are very pop in larger Colombian cities.
They are near ever friendly locals, who are eager to innovate yous to their cities, and tell you everything most it, including some personal stories.
Is Colombia Safe to Visit?
Even though the days of drug cartels and brutal violence are just a dark spot in Colombia's history, it's notwithstanding far from beingness ane of the safest countries in the world for tourists.
But staying safe in Colombia is not much different than staying condom in large European cities – just employ your common sense, and you should exist fine.
That means staying away from poor neighborhoods and non venturing far exterior tourist centers.
Keep your valuables safe – don't carry your smartphone and wallet in the dorsum pocket of your jeans. Put them in your jacket or a money chugalug instead, especially when using public ship.
Don't habiliment flashy jewelry, and try not to attract besides much attention to yourself. Consider swapping your bulky DSLR for a smaller betoken and shoot camera or your phone in crowded areas, and carry your haversack kangaroo style (front of body).
Colombia is actually safer than most people think, peculiarly since there is however a lot of police on the metropolis streets. But it is still important to know what to expect, and to take all the necessary precautions to ensure you stay safe while you lot're exploring the gorgeous country.
Not a Lot of People Speak English
The native linguistic communication in Colombia is Castilian, and only about four% of the population claims they can speak English well.
Which means that y'all may accept a challenging fourth dimension in the country if you lot don't speak whatever Spanish at all.
And then, try to learn at least some useful phrases earlier your trip. Information technology's not a hard language, and the signal isn't to get proficient overnight – but to learn plenty that you tin can communicate with people at restaurants, confined and shops.
This is equally simple as taking the DuoLingo Spanish form or watching some TV shows in Spanish to pick upwardly the fundamental phrases.
Recommended Vaccines and Immunization
Continue in mind when planning a trip to Colombia that information technology has a tropical climate, which is an ideal setting for musquito-borne diseases to flourish.
Which is why yous should do all you can to protect yourself, and ensure you stay healthy throughout your trip.
If you're only traveling to larger cities that are on a high elevation (to a higher place two,200 meters), you don't take to worry near mosquito-borne diseases.
But if yous want to explore Republic of colombia's stunning countryside, seaside and the gorgeous national and nature parks, you should at least exist vaccinated against yellow fever.
Other vaccines that are recommended for those traveling to Colombia are:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Rabies
- Typhoid
None of these are mandatory for travelers from Europe and North America, but they are highly recommended.
Merely, if you're travelling from 1 of the post-obit countries, or even simply had a layover there, you lot will be required to present yellow fever vaccination document:
- Brazil
- Uganda
- Angola
- Autonomous Commonwealth of Congo
Musquito'southward are Everywhere (almost)
We've touched upon this in the previous section, but you need to exist properly prepared for the corporeality of musquito's you lot will run across when yous visit Colombia.
The climate in the state is ideal for them, so the pesky insects really are hard to avert in some locations.
That is not to say they are everywhere. For example, in the cities and higher lying areas like Salento (the coffee region) they are not a trouble at all.
However, if yous caput to the jungles up northward you will likely run across them.
The best thing y'all tin practice to prepare yourself is get non-harmful mosquito repellent. Plus bracelets, candles, lotions, sprays and every bit many electric repellents as yous tin fit in your suitcase.
You should also ask your md about anti malaria pills; it'due south not something you tin be vaccinated against, and it'south a serious issue in western and eastern parts of the country.
Additionally, it is best to wear long sleeve tops and long trousers, especially during and later on dusk. If necessary, sleep under a mosquito internet to avert any bites during the nighttime.
Credit Cards are Not Widely Accepted
If you were hoping to just swipe your credit card throughout Colombia, I'm going to disappoint you.
Cash is withal king in the country, and you will need to have plenty on hand for restaurants, bars, cafes and fifty-fifty shops.
The major hotels, shops and fancy restaurants do accept cards, particularly in larger cities like Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin. But you will demand cash for everything else – coach tickets, taxi fares, souvenirs etc.
The currency in Colombian is Colombian Peso, and $ane equals to well-nigh three,281.51 pesos.
And if you're planning on withdrawing money, there is something you lot should know beforehand, like the variations in the withdrawal limits.
The withdrawal limit on ATM'due south in Republic of colombia depends heavily on the bank. It can be equally depression as 400,000 COP (Corpabanca), and it doesn't get higher than 1,200,000 COP (Citibank).
In addition to that, some ATM'south will also charge you lot a fee, which ranges from $3.ii to $4.5.
Perhaps it's all-time to look for a Colpatria bank ATM. They don't charge a fee, and the withdrawal limit is 900,000 COP, which is about $270.
Of form, you should also consider the maximum daily withdrawal limit from your bank – if information technology's $1,000, you can withdraw the maximum amount from an ATM most 3 times in total
Do Not Talk about Pablo Escobar
Near of usa got hooked on Netflix's Narcos testify at some betoken, and were captivated past the world of drug lords in the 80s in Colombia.
Yet, while the Telly testify was incredibly interesting for the Western world, Colombians did not similar it so much. Our tour guide in Medellin made a point of mentioning it.
Most locals feel that it is non an accurate representation of the troubled times, and then definitely avoid mentioning anything about information technology.
Leave your Narcos t-shirts at home when visiting Republic of colombia, and refrain from mentioning the Medellin or Cali cartels at all – peculiarly if you're visiting either 1 of those cities.
One of the chief issues with the popular show was that it presented Colombia every bit a drug country, an image that it is trying difficult to move abroad from.
So, be supportive of that, and don't reference the dark by unless a friendly local starts talking virtually information technology commencement.
Tipping is Not Expected
In Colombia, information technology'due south non expected to tip your waiter or taxi driver, merely nosotros recommend yous do it anyhow if yous were happy with the service.
Even a pocket-size tip will be met with gratitude, especially because it's not a common social custom.
In fancier restaurants in big cities, you volition see a service fee on your bill. It'south usually 10% of your club, and that tip is later split equally amongst all the restaurant staff.
Buses and Taxis Will Get You lot Anywhere, But Planes Are Much Faster
Getting effectually Colombia is easy with buses and taxis. They go pretty much anywhere, and they are very inexpensive.
Especially with getting effectually bigger cities, getting to and from the airports and reaching those smaller places that are outside urban centers.
However, Colombian buses tend to exist really slow, so nosotros don't recommend them if you have to cross hundreds of kilometers in ane day.
If you're trying to get from, let's say Medellin to Santa Marta, it'south best to take a local flight. One-way tickets are super cheap (effectually $30 for this verbal flight), and planes are a lot faster than the jitney.
In this particular case, yous tin save about 13 hours if you opt to fly.
Be Patient
The concept of fourth dimension in Colombia is dissimilar from that of the Western globe. And so, while it might be unimaginable that a railroad train in Switzerland is thirty-minutes late, in Colombia that would exist quite normal.
That'southward probably going to be the hardest thing to get used to.
Buses run late, and then information technology's normal to expect a while for your meal in a eating house, and nobody is surprised if a flight gets delayed for several hours. At least one of our ten flights in Colombia was late.
If yous get caught in such a situation, effort to non act similar a Westerner. Don't panic, and keep your cool – adapt to the situation and socialize with the locals.
Perhaps grab a cerveza while yous wait, if it helps you lot stay cool.
More than Colombia and S America Tips
Check out these posts for more tips for Colombia and S America:
- Why Republic of colombia travel is best as a solo adventure
- Things to exercise in Medellin
- 20 of the all-time places to visit in South America
Plan a Trip to Colombia
Accommodation in Republic of colombia
Choose from a variety of Republic of colombia accommodation types on Booking.com – hotels, apartments, and hostels, even holiday homes. With Booking.com yous go free cancellation on most rooms and a best cost guarantee.
Tours in Republic of colombia
Our partner, the Get Your Guide tour company offers many Republic of colombia tours and attractions. They accept lowest prices, guaranteed — no booking fees or hidden charges. Pre-book tickets and skip the line at peak attractions and cancel upwards to 24 hours earlier.
Flights to Colombia
Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. In one case yous find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).
Don't Forget Travel Insurance
Non having travel insurance on a trip is not worth the chance. Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such equally trip cancellation, your personal effects, lost, stolen or damaged luggage past an airline, and other related losses incurred while traveling.
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Source: https://www.ytravelblog.com/visiting-colombia/
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