Colombia Travel Guide

Colombia is a must-see destination if you are planning to travel to Latin America. Not only because of the natural and historical attractions, but also because of the people. You will be amazed by the Colombians who, despite civil unrest in recent decades are cheerful, open and very hospitable. The magic of Colombia summarized: great nature, beaches, colonial cities, romantic settings and the happiest people in the world.

Let yourself be overwhelmed by the variety and unique places within this country, such as the Andes, perfectly preserved colonial cities, the coffee region and the beautiful Caribbean beaches. Try the local dance styles such as salsa and cumbia. The people of Colombia are eager to show you a piece of their heritage and culture.

Republica de Colombia

Colombia is a country of great contrasts and diversity. White sand beaches, colonial cities, rural poverty, modern European-style cities with skyscrapers and luxury in the city. Colombia is the country with the least corruption in Latin America. Colombia was colonized by the Spaniards since 1500 for a period of 319 years. In 1819 the famous liberator Simon Bolivar led a rebellion that expelled the Spanish rule over the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador. Colombia was still part of the Republic of Great Colombia that already covered Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador. When Panama became independent in 1903 the modern day borders were established. Well into the 20th century there were many revolts in the country arising from a poor economic situation. The two political camps, the Conservatives and Liberals, were polarized. The miserable economic situation and social unrest are the breeding ground for the various guerrilla movements Colombia still counts. The most famous is the FARC and was created in 1964 as military wing of the Communist Party. What began as an ideological battle has been a sleazy drug war still raging in the interior of the country. President Uribe, in power from 2002 to 2010 took a hard approach to improve the security situation of the country and this agenda has been continued by current President Juan Manuel Santos. Due to this approach Colombia has become increasingly safe in recent years and tourists can finally enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer!Read Full Article

Language: The official language is Spanish and there are 200 indigenous languages​​, these languages ​​are spoken by only a small number of indigenous communities still living in some areas of Colombia. English is also spoken on the islands of San Andres and Providencia.

Entry: Travelers from Europe, the US, Canada and Australia do not require visas for stays shorter than 90 days. Be aware that airport custom officials have the option of giving a tourist for 30, 60 or 90 days. Double check with the official the length of your visa.

Time Zone: Colombia is in a time zone, five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5) Read Full Article

Colombia was colonized by the Spaniards since 1500 until 1819 when it was liberated from Spanish rule by freedom fighter Simon Bolivar. Colombia was still part of the Republic of Great Colombia together with Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador. Only since 1903, Panama became independent and the borders were established as we know them today.Read Full Article

The Republic of Colombia is a country in northwestern South America, surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. It is bordered to the east by Venezuela in the north to the Caribbean Sea, south to Peru and Ecuador and Panama in the west along with the Pacific Ocean. Colombia is in the equatorial zone. The Andes Mountains give the country a varied topography ranging from plains and tropical rain forests to Andean foothills and snowy summits. The climatic variations are not the result of seasons, but those of altitude and temperature. In Colombia there are no seasons and the climate of each region is relatively stable throughout the year. There are slight differences depending on the time (dry season and rainy season).Read Full Article

Within and between virtually all cities of Colombia, it is possible to travel by public transport. These include small buses, metro systems and luxury coaches for the long haul. Within the cities it is easy and cheap to go places by taxi or metro. City buses can be a little confusing, but if you speak a little Spanish you can definitely chance it. Between the cities you can easily use, for example, the bus service "Flota Occidental, which offer all the comforts and security you need.Read Full Article

Within Colombia there is an extensive network of domestic flights that are offered by various airlines. Below you will find information on several Colombian airlines.Read Full Article

The official currency is the Peso Colombiano (COP). Colombia is not an expensive country, you can exchange money on the street, but it is not secure, it is better to exchange money at a bank or simply use a credit card. There are plenty of ATMs around that accept most international credit and debit card. Most ATMs operate under and are compatible with the Cirrus or Maestro systems.Read Full Article

One of the most common questions are those regarding the safety for travelers. The short answer: Yes! Colombia is a safe country to travel. As always when you are traveling caution is advised. The applies for all countries in Latin America, and probably anywhere in the world. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that the safety situation in Colombia has improved greatly during the last ten years. The tourist destinations and big cities do not pose any particular security risks, with the exception of Buenaventura. As in all major cities, in Colombia you are also advised to take into account the different forms of crime such as pickpockets and bag snatches. Using common sense and being aware of your surroundings is normally sufficient to evade this form of crime.Read Full Article

The best time to visit Colombia depends on where exactly you are going. Generally it is wise to travel in Colombia in the dry season. During this period it is easier to do trekking and there are more festivals at this time that are certainly worth visiting. In northern Colombia, the dry season ranges from December to March. In the south it is mainly dry in July and August.

The climate in Colombia is largely determined by the altitude. Usually the colder mountain area, the average climate is 12°C, at 2000 to 3000 meters. The average temperature between 1000 and 2000 meters altitude is 18°C. Under a 1000 meters, the temperature averages 24°C. Over three quarters of the land area lies below 1000 meters, one tenth between 1000 and 2000 meters and the remainder between 2000 and 3000 meters. On the coast the temperature can be very hot, in between 30°C and 35°C. Cities like Cali and Medellin are known for their "eternal spring".

Please note that the high-season of Colombia falls in the months December to January and from June to July. Colombians also have their holidays at this time, making it all a lot busier everywhere.