Colombia Tours

• Colombia was named after the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus.
• Colombia produces 60% of the world’s most expensive emeralds.
• The highest peak in Colombia is Pico Cristobal Colon, and is 5,797 metres above sea level.
• Sharing a land border with 5 other countries, Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru, Colombia is also the only country in South America to have shorelines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
• A national sport is called Tejo – a game that involves throwing projectiles at a target, closest to the target wins! Colombia is also known for its skill in roller skating, soccer and cycling.
• Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, sits at 2,647 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. It’s also the second most populated city in South America.
• Due to its proximity to the equator, Colombia doesn’t really have any particular seasons, and it enjoys sunshine all year round.
• Per square metre of land, Colombia is the most bio diverse country on the planet. Its unique location and environment means it has an amazing array of fauna and flora – for example, over 3,000 of the world’s 14,000 species of butterfly are found in Colombia
• 12% of the world’s coffee comes from Colombia, and it is the world’s second largest exporter of fresh cut flowers.

Australian passport holders travelling to Colombia do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

Australian Embassy in Colombia:

Edificio Tierra Firme
Avenida Carrera 9 No. 115-06
Oficina 2003
Bogota
Ph. +57 601 657 8030

The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso. Notes come in denominations of 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000 and 1,000.

The recommended currency to take to Colombia is USD. Once in Colombia, you will be able to change some dollars into the local currency Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Colombian Peso’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Colombia is approximately $1 USD
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately $3.50 USD
• The price of dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately $9 - 11 USD
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately $2 USD

As would be expected of a country with such incredible biodiversity and terrain, the food of Colombia is as exotic and varied as the country itself. Flour tortillas and empanadas in many forms make up a big part of the diet of Colombians, and they are well known for their penchant for sweets, so be prepared to be blown away by the amazing array of cakes and candies on offer. Well worth a try is sancocho de gallina (a rich chicken soup that may or may not have part of the chicken in the broth), sancocho (a Colombian specialty with many variations – along the coastal areas for example, sancocho features fresh fish), and bandeja paisa (full of rice, beans, fried egg, arepa and fried plantains). Due to its coastal plains, and position on the equator, Colombia has many delicious tropical fruits and also specialises in rich, dairy based desserts.

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later!  If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

Colombia enjoys a tropical climate, due to its proximity to the equator. The temperature generally doesn’t change much during the year and the only thing that does affect the temperature is how high up in to the mountains you go. Also, being so close to the equator, Colombia has a dry season that runs between December and March and a wet season that lasts from April to November.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

Colombia is one of the cheapest and easiest places to get around and the taxi networks in the larger cities are extensive. For added safety, book a taxi by telephone and the taxi company will generally give you the registration number of the taxi and a four digit code to give to the driver.

When catching taxis, make sure you have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. We recommend you ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Colombia…

If you have the urge to splash out, Colombia is most famous for its exquisite emeralds. Gold and other handcrafted pieces of jewellery are often sold at the markets along with handmade mochila, a woven bag, generally worn over the shoulder, and other souvenir items, such as t-shirts, glasses, watches and postcards. The Colombian clothing industry is also widely known for its high quality goods, especially lingerie, leather garments, shoes and other accessories. Bargaining is often practiced in the markets.

• At some point on your trip, you are likely to be referred to as ‘gringo’ – it’s a slang word for foreigner, and is not meant to be insulting.
• Be cautious when speaking about drugs. Colombia has a big drug problem, and although they are working hard on this issue, it is still a sensitive topic for many locals.
• It is considered rude to motion to someone with your index finger so another way to do it, would be to turn your palm down and wave your whole hand.
• When eating, hands should be visible on the table, and do not rest your elbows on the table.
• Most Colombian’s would consider themselves Roman Catholic, and as such, the parish church is considered the centre of the community.

Colombia is the home of many colorful festivals and traditions taking place throughout the year, with many Colombia holidays largely dictated by the Catholic calendar. Carnivals are a major focus, with most cities and towns having at least one at some point in the year, that feature costumes, parades, music, food, wild parties, and dancing.

Carnaval del Diablo

The town of Rio Sucio hosts the Carnaval del Diablo (Festival of the Devil) on odd numbered years biannually, in a party to ward off sadness. The event is a synthesis of indigenous pagan and Catholic beliefs and features feasts, costumes, dancing, music, and poetry under the spell of sugar cane liquor. Festivities end with the reading of the testament, a burning of the devil and the burying of the gourd.

Carnaval de Negros y Blancos

The Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, or Festival of Blacks and Whites, is one of the major events in Southern Colombia, celebrated in Pasto over a week in early January. It has earned UNESCO designation for being a masterpiece in oral and intangible heritage of humanity. The first day of the celebration involves the Colonies Parade, a rock concert where farmers offer tributes of flowers and songs to the Virgin of Mercy in return for a good harvest. Day two is the Children’s Carnival followed by the Arrival of the Castaneda Family on the third, a colorful cartoon with all the stereotypes including a pregnant bride and a drunk priest. Day four and five are Blacks and Whites Day respectively followed by a Grand Parade on the fifth. The final day is devoted to Rural Culture and a Cuys Festival.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Epiphany Holiday
• St. Joseph’s Day
• Ascension Day Holiday
• Saints Peter & Paul’s Day
• Day of the Races
• Independence of Cartagena
• Christmas Day