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(Last updated: 05 Nov 2008)
Visas
Travellers to Colombia for business purposes do not need to obtain a business visa for visits involving marketing development, meetings with clients, seminars, trade fairs, or other marketing activities.
A business visa is only required for Australians who plan to sign official documents while in Colombia. Travellers on a business visa are also required to complete a statutory declaration upon leaving the country to state that they have received no money for work done during their stay in Colombia on the business visa.
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Although often perceived as a tropical, Colombia’s climate actually varies significantly with altitude. Seasons don't really exist, but rainfall and brisk wintry weather is common October to November and April to June in Bogotá. Temperatures in Bogotá rarely reach above 20°C year-round. The coastal cities are warm and sunny, and the valley cities of Medellín and Cali almost always have pleasant weather.
For weather details in Colombia, please visit the World Meteorological Organization. |
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Bogotá is a regional air hub, with daily services to all major cities in South America, Central America, Mexico, southern USA, Spain, France and Germany. Connections to
Australia are via Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, or Santiago-Lima.
Avianca is the national airline, but Iberia, Air France, Taca, Lan, American and Continental
all fly to Bogotá. Almost all domestic air travel in Colombia is to/from Bogotá airport.
The international airport departure tax is US$52 and must be paid in cash prior to immigration clearance. Money can be changed inside the airport, and there is an ATM.
The check-in counters do, however, accept payment by credit card.
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El Dorado international airport is located about a 30-minute drive from central Bogotá, but during rush hour (7.00am-10.00am and 5.00-8.00pm) you should allow up to 50 minutes in travel time. The airport is currently being up-graded and passengers may experience noise and dust during the renovations.
A taxi from the airport to most major hotels will cost around 20.000 COP. Fares for a 20-minute ride should not be more than 7.000 COP. Some top hotels in Bogotá provide luxury cars at higher fares in US dollars.
For security reasons we do not recommend the use of buses, vans or informal taxis. Visitors are strongly advised to use taxis from the hotel or radio taxis (requested by telephone) which are slightly more expensive, but safer and in better condition than taxis hailed from the street.
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Hotels
Bogotá is experiencing a chronic shortage of international hotels. The main international standard hotels are the Radisson, Hotel Casa Medina and Charleston Bogotá Hotel, the Dan Carlton and the Cosmos 100. Smaller boutique hotels are also available.
Visit: www.turismocolombia.com |
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Colombia. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.
The major cities, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena are considered relatively safe, however, poverty, unemployment and congestion means that theft, vandalism and assaults can occur. The most common crimes are bag snatching, pick pocketing and break-ins of parked cars.
Exercise extreme caution in other parts of Colombia. Terrorist, insurgent and paramilitary groups are active throughout Colombia and there is a high risk of kidnapping, including of foreigners.
Combined with the normal safety precautions, some extra tips include:
- Keep expensive watches, jewellery and other valuables in the hotel safe.
- When travelling by car or taxi, bags and briefcases should be kept under the seat or in the boot and keep the doors locked.
- Travel by road outside the major cities after dark is not advisable.
Health
Malaria is a risk in all areas below 800 metres but is not a risk in Bogotá. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue fever, yellow fever, Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis) are also a risk to travellers. You should consult your doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
The altitude in Bogotá (2640m) and other parts of Colombia can cause problems for travellers, particularly those who suffer from lung, heart or chest problems. Healthy travellers may also feel the effects of the lack of oxygen.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infections diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. In rural areas, we recommend that you boil all drinking water or that you drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes. You should also avoid raw and undercooked food.
Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
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Tips for taxi drivers are not common practice. The usual tip for an airport or hotel porter would be a US$1.
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Time zones and time differences
Colombia is 15 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
To find out the current time in Bogotá, view the World Clock. |
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Dialling codes
Colombia's country code is 57.
For calls to Colombia from Australia dial: 0011 + 57 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Colombia to Australia dial: 0011 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
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Normal business hours are from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Business visitors should check to avoid major holidays, including Christmas and New Year's, Easter, and Independence Day (July 20). January is the traditional holiday month.
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Public holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 6 – Epiphany/Day of the Kings
March 19 – St Joseph’s Day
May 1 – Easter – Holy Thursday and Holy Friday
May 29 – Ascension
July 20 – Independence Day
August 7 – Battle of Boyacá
October 12 – Columbus Day
November 11 – Independence of Cartagena
December 25 – Christmas Day |
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Oanda currency converter
The currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). The exchange rate is stable, managed and fully convertible against the US dollar. The Colombian economy is effectively a dual currency economy (Peso and US dollar) with the majority of bank deposits and all international transactions in US dollars.
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Electricity and water
Colombia's power supply is 110 volts, 60Hz; 1, 3 phases, 2, 3 wires. The European two-prong pin plug and two-prong flat plug (North America) are standard. It is advisable to bring your own converter plug. It is not recommended that you drink tap water (see Health).
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Dining
Bogotá has many excellent restaurants covering a wide range of cuisine and prices. Most of the best restaurants are located in Zona Rosa and Zona G. Ask your hotel or look on the Internet for recommendations. A service charge of 10 per cent is usually included in restaurant bills; however, it is customary to leave an additional 10 per cent at more expensive restaurants. |
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Tourist attractions
Bogotá’s main tourist attractions include its museums (Gold and Pre-Colombian), galleries (Botero), the main square, La Candela, cathedral and main look out.
The main tourist destination in Colombia is the tropical world heritage listed city of Cartagena.
Visit: www.turiscolombia.andes.com/colombia_travel.htm
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