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Colombia

Colombia occupies the northwest corner of South America. It has an area twice that of France, with long coasts on the Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans, mountainous regions, and Amazon jungle areas inland. The ethnic groups and cultures are diverse.

Pick a climate, and it's yours—if you find the light jacket weather of Bogotá cold, drive an hour down through the mountains and sunbathe next to the pool of your rented hacienda. If you don't want to sit still, head off into the Amazon or any of the country's other many inland jungles, snow-capped volcanoes, rocky deserts, endless plains, lush valleys, coffee plantations, mountain lakes, deserted beaches.

For culture, intellectual Bogotá might lead the rest of Latin America in experimental theater, indie-rock, and the number of bookstores, but you could also get a completely alien education in an Amazonian malocca, or you could delve into the huge Latin music scene of salsa and cumbia, with the most exciting dance display being the enormous Carnival of Barranquilla.

For history, wander the narrow streets of South America's original capital in Bogotá, check out old Spanish colonial provincial retreats like Villa de Leyva, trek through the thick jungle-covered mountains of the northeast to the Lost City of the Tayrona Indians, and walk the walls of Cartagena's achingly beautiful old city, looking over the fortified ramparts upon which the colonial history of South America pivoted.

For nightlife, hot Cali is today's world capital of salsa, claiming that competitive distinction over Colombia's other vibrant big-city party scenes, which keep the music going long into the small hours of the morning. The hipsters' playground is found around the El Poblado neighbourhood in Medellín downtown.

For dining, you'll find everything from the ubiquitous cheap, delicious Colombian home-style meals to world-class upscale and modern culinary arts in the big cities, with cuisines from all corners of the world represented.

And for relaxing, there are gorgeous tropical beaches along Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, but you can find even more laidback and peaceful retreats on the idyllic and unspoilt Caribbean island of Providencia.

The political violence has subsided substantially throughout the majority of the country and savvy travelers have already flocked here from around the world—come before everyone else catches on!

Cities

 * — the capital, a cosmopolitan city 3 km (two miles) high, with some eight million people sprawling outwards from Andean mountains, where you'll find excellent museums, world-class dining, and most everything one wants from a big city.
 * — the Gold Port and fourth largest city in the nation isn't necessarily that exciting most of the year, but its carnival is the second biggest in the world after Rio de Janeiro's, and is an amazing cultural experience and one hell of a party!
 * — Colombia's third largest city, renowned as the salsa capital of Latin America.
 * — the Heroic City, Capital of the Bolívar department, is Colombia's tourist city par excellence. The colonial architecture and the skyscrapers can be seen together in this city that offers a unique experience of festivals, historic attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
 * — the center of the Zona Cafetera offers the opportunity to visit Los Nevados National Park and to live the coffee plantation experience.
 * — the City of Eternal Spring and capital of the Antioquia department is famous for having a large textile industry, which produces top-quality clothing that is sent all over the world. It's also the birthplace of master painter Fernando Botero, so it houses the great majority of his works.
 * — the lovely city, capital of the Risaralda department, and major city of the coffee region – modern, commercial, and touristic. The famous "naked Bolívar" monument and the Matecaña Zoo are here. Very near to Santa Rosa hot water springs and the National Park of "Los Nevados".
 * — this beautiful, white-washed city is Colombia's religious center. Home to the second largest Easter festival in the world (after Seville, Spain), this town has contributed more Colombian presidents than any other. Bordered by the Puracé National Park and gateway to the archeological sites of San Agustín and Tierra Dentro in nearby Huilla.
 * — a popular base for adventure tourism in the beautiful areas surrounding, and unique in the sense that it offers you beautiful beaches one day, and the next one a walk to the foothill of a snowy mountain, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest in the country.

Other destinations

 * — Far, far from civilization in the Amazon rainforest, a huge national park explorable via boat, full of strange monkey-infested islands and pink dolphins.
 * — A colossal church built underground in a former salt mine, with passages lined with exquisite sculptures, and a radiant cross rising over the altar of the cavernous nave.

 * — A pre-Columbian city located in the Colombian jungle close to Santa Marta. Built between the eighth and the fourteenth century by the Tayrona Indians. Nowadays only stone circular shaped terraces covered by jungle remain.
 * — a scenic archipelago a short boat journey from Cartagena.
 * — This former prison island in the Pacific Ocean is now a nature reserve open for visitors. There is abundant wildlife like monkeys, snakes, whales and sea turtles. It offers excellent diving conditions.
 * — Colombia's high altitude volcano park offers great trekking.
 * — an idyllic, remote Caribbean Island found halfway towards Jamaica. With the Western hemisphere's second largest barrier reef, beautiful Providencia Island has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
 * and Tierradentro — Archeological sites in south-western Colombia.
 * — Some of the loveliest coastline in all of South America.

Understand
Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and it has the second-most biodiversity in the world. Lying to the south of Panama, Colombia controls the land access between Central and South America. With Panama to the north, Colombia is surrounded by Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, and Ecuador and Peru to the south west. The country was named in honor of Christopher Columbus, following the Italian version of his name (Cristoforo Colombo). Although Columbus never set foot on the current Colombian territory, in his fourth voyage he visited Panama, which was part of Colombia until 1903.

Traveling in Colombia is definitely worthwhile. From Bogotá, with a temperate climate 2,600 m (8,530 ft) above sea level and at a constant temperature of 19°C, a drive of one or two hours north, south, east or west can take you to landscapes which are as diverse as they are beautiful. To historic city centres and towns, modern and energetic party cities, oriental plains which stretch out far beyond the horizon with little modulation. rugged contours of the higher Andean region, the Guajira peninsula and its desert, idyllic beaches, the tropical jungle of the Amazon and the Choco with abundant flora and fauna, snowy peaks and volcanoes, ancient ruins, the Magdalena River valley and its hot weather, beautiful coral reefs and an abundant underwater marine life together with pleasant relaxed tropical islands, and the ability to rest and relax in a privately rented hacienda that lets you have and enjoy these treasures to yourself. Such a diversity comes with equally diverse traditions and foods. Colombia is one of the equatorial countries of the world, but unique in its extreme topography and abundance of water and has something for everyone.

Climate
Take your pick, really. Colombia is an equatorial country with amazing variance in altitude, so it's going to be whatever temperature you like best all year long somewhere! The climate is tropical along the coast, eastern plains, and Amazon; cold in the highlands with periodic droughts. Lacking the usual seasons, Colombians normally refer to rainy seasons as winter—but the differences in terrain and altitude mean the rainy seasons are different in every corner of the country!

The one downside to all this climactic diversity, though, is that you'll have to bring a fair amount of different clothes if you plan to travel extensively. Cities in the center like Bogotá and those to the north in Boyacá can potentially reach temperatures below 0°C, so bring a coat. Some mountains are also covered in snow year-long. Cities along the Caribbean coast like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta are hot and humid, while some cities at mid-altitude in the Andes like Medellín (the City of Eternal Spring), Manizales, and other cities in the Coffee Triangle region always have beautiful temperate weather.

Terrain
Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes. A volcanic disaster occurred in Armero, 1985. 25,000 people were buried by lahars (volcanic mudflows) that the Nevado del Ruiz produced.

Highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m (18,950 ft) of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The mountain is part of the world's highest coastal range. Nearby Pico Simon Bolivar has the same elevation

History
Colombia was inhabited by numerous, major indigenous cultures like the Muisca, the Tayrona and the Quimbaya; some groups of indigenous people as the Caribs lived in a state of permanent war, but others had less bellicose attitudes. The area that now is Colombia was conquered by the Spanish through alliances with some indigenous groups when America was 'discovered' by Europeans. The process of conquest and colonization radically altered the social structures of the areas, the indigenous populations shrank dramatically in size and their share of the population has declined ever since. The Spanish Empire brought European settlers and African slaves, while most of the population in the colony was of mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry. The Spanish empire brought slaves to their colonies largely using the 'asiento' system, licensing merchants from many slave trading nations to transport slaves.

Independence from Spain was won in 1819 as part of the "Gran Colombia" Federation, but by 1830 the federation was dissolved. It was one of the five countries liberated by Simón Bolívar (the others being Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia). The success of the independence movements across Latin America was made easier by the Napoleonic Wars that left mainland Spain with two rival governments. What is now Colombia and Panama emerged as the Republic of New Granada. The new nation experimented with federalism as the Granadine Confederation (1858), and then the United States of Colombia (1863), before the Republic of Colombia was declared in 1886. The United States of America's intentions to control the Panama Canal led to Panama becoming a separate nation in 1903.

Colombia was the first constitutional government in South America. Slavery was abolished in the country in 1851. The years following independence were marked by several civil wars, the legacy of these conflicts combined with state repression against leftist militias in rural areas and world polarization caused by the Cold War culminated in a communist insurgent campaign in 1964 by the FARC and the ELN to overthrow the Colombian Government. The years during the conflict were marked by heavy fighting between the communist guerrillas, the Colombian state and military, right-wing paramilitaries and several drug cartels. In the years following 2005 the safety has been improving throughout the country. As part of a difficult peace process the AUC (right-wing paramilitaries) as a formal organization had ceased to function, and in 2012 the government and the FARC started peace talks aiming at bringing the 50-year-old Civil War to an end once and for all. Colombia is in recovery with a rapidly improving economy. Ending the conflict, wealth inequality and rebuilding the nation are some of the issues that confront the country. In October 2016, President Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in bringing the country's five decades of civil war to an end.

Visitor information

 * Colombia Travel website

Talk
The official language of Colombia is Spanish. Some indigenous tribes in rural areas continue to speak their own languages, though almost all people from those tribes will be bilingual in their own language and Spanish.

If you've recently learned Spanish, it’s a relief to know that the Bogotá dialect is clear and easy to understand. The Spanish does vary, however, from Cartagena to Bogotá to Cali. Generally the Spanish on the coasts is spoken more rapidly, and Spanish from Medellín has its own idiosyncrasies. In cities like Medellín and Cali, the dialect of Spanish is the voseo form. Meaning that instead of the second person familiar pronoun tú, vos is used instead. Though tú is also understood by everybody, vos is a more friendly voice while tú is reserved for intimate circles. The Spanish spoken along the Caribbean coast is similar to the dialects spoken in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Quite a few Colombians know at least a few basic phrases in English, because English is taught at school, and Hollywood movies tend to be in English with Spanish subtitles. For the most part, however, you should definitely invest in learning the basics of Spanish since you will encounter plenty of situations where no-one will speak any English.

Colombians from more affluent backgrounds will be more likely to have learned English, and the majority of high-ranking professionals, executives and high-ranking government officials in Colombia speak a decent level of English. An English-based creole similar to Jamaican patois is spoken by the Jamaican diaspora in the Caribbean archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia.

Visas
Passport holders of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Colombia when the purpose of the visit is tourism for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted): Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (180 days), Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.

Citizens of the following countries can enter with their National ID card: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Colombian authorities will stamp passports from the above countries giving permission to stay for a maximum of 30 to 90 days. Immigration officials at any of the international airports of the country will usually ask you the intended length of your trip, giving you a determinate number of days that will cover it, which you can extend to 90 by going to any immigration services office.

Extending your stay
You can apply for a 90-day extension to your stay at an Asuntos Migratorios office in some of the major cities, which costs around US$40. You need two copies of your passport's main page, two copies of the page with the entrance stamp, two copies of a ticket en route out of the country, and four photographs. The procedure takes some time and includes taking your fingerprints. For visitors, the maximum length of stay can not exceed 6 months in 1 year.

By plane
There are regular international flights into major cities including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Pereira and San Andrés Islands as well as to other smaller cities in the borders with Venezuela, Ecuador, Panamá and Brazil.

There are daily direct flights to and from the U.S, Canada, México, Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, France, and South America.

Medellín is the only Colombian city served by 2 airports: International and long-range domestic flights go to José María Córdova International Airport while regional and some other domestic flights arrive in Olaya Herrera airport.

Bogotá has two airport terminals: Puente Aéreo and El Dorado. Outside the airport, be aware of enterprising men who will help you lift your bags into a taxi or car, and then expect payment. It is best to politely refuse all offers of help unless from a taxi driver you are about to hire.

Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airports. A taxi ride from the airport to the central business district in Bogotá, takes approximately 20 minutes.

By car

 * Enter from Venezuela by the San Cristóbal-Cúcuta or Maracaibo-Maicao pass.
 * Enter from Ecuador by the Tulcán-Ipiales (Rumichaca) pass.
 * Important: There are no major roads coming from 3 neighboring countries: Panamá, Brazil and Perú. There are no roads at all from Panamá, and there are tiny roads between Colombia and Perú or Brazil, but they do not lead to major cities or regions.

By boat
Enter from Panama by sailboat. Sailboats depart regularly from Portobelo, Panama, on 5 night trips to Cartagena, Colombia. 3 days of which are spent exploring the San Blas island paradise. Prices range from $550 to $700 with the most reputable boats being booked out in advance direct online.

Enter from Panama by the Puerto Obaldia-Capurganá pass. From Capurganá, another boat ride takes you to Turbo, where buses take you to Medellín and Montería.

If you enter from Brazil, there are weekly boats from Manaus to Tabatinga/Leticia through the Amazon River. It takes around six days to go from Manaus and just three days to come back (the reason of the difference is the current of the river). There are also weekly motorboats which are more expensive, but cover the route in less than two days. Once in Leticia you have daily domestic flights to several cities, including Bogotá.

A fair number of cruise ships pay day visits (usually at Cartagena), especially during cooler months in North America.

From Venezuela
Connections can be made from the Caracas main terminal to most cities in Colombia. From the main terminal, Maracaibo (Venezuela) you can find buses that run to the cities (Cartagena, Baranquilla, Santa Marta) on the coast. The border at Maicao provides a relatively easy, straightforward entry into Colombia from Venezuela.

You can also enter from Venezuela via the busy San Cristóbal to Cúcuta route, which passes through the border town of San Antonio del Táchira.

The border can be a bit of a hassle or even dangerous, especially in the night time. Ask locals.

From Ecuador
It is very straightforward to enter Colombia from Ecuador. Travel to Tulcán, where you can get a taxi to the border. Get your exit stamps from the immigration offices and take another taxi to Ipiales. From there you can travel further to Cali, Bogotá, and so on.

From Panama
You can't cross from Panama to Colombia by bus—the Darien Gap begins at Yaviza, where the Interamericana runs out. Consider using the boat crossing instead. There are often yachts that will shuttle you between Colombia and Panama and offer a stop in the gorgeous San Blas islands.

Airlines with flights between the two countries are Avianca, COPA, and LAN.

By plane
Owing in part to the absence of intercity rail and the high mountains separating many of the major cities, air travel is popular and widespread among those who can afford it and competition is fierce. Bogotá-Medellin was the 30th busiest passenger air route in 2018 with almost four million passengers flown and there is no indication of travel on that 239 km route shifting to other modes any time soon. The most important domestic carriers in Colombia are:
 * Avianca (main Colombian national airline)
 * Wingo a 'low fare' subsidiary brand of COPA Colombia operating as a separate brand (formerly AeroRepublica).
 * LATAM Colombia (formerly LAN Colombia and Aires)
 * Clic (formerly Easy Fly) (regional airline around Medellín, Bogotá and Bucaramanga)
 * Satena (Servicio Aéreo a Territorios Nacionales) operated by the Colombian Air Force to provide transport to remote regions of Los Llanos, Amazona & the Pacific coast from Bogotá.

They all have well-kept fleets and regular service to major towns and cities in Colombia. The online payment process of some domestic airlines is complicated. Payments can be done at the airport or official ticket offices.

By train
The Metro in Medellín and its surroundings is the closest thing to a passenger train in Colombia. There are no intercity trains in the country. There are, however, plans to change that and the mayor of Bogotá for the 2020-2023 term ran her campaign on a platform of "Metro, Metro and more Metro" and construction for both a metro and a regional tram-train is already underway.

By car
Driving is on the right hand side of the road-most cars have standard transmissions. Colombia's fleet is composed mainly of cars with 4-cylinder engines that are of European and Japanese manufacture.

Foreign visitors may drive if they show an international driver's license (a multilingual endorsement card issued by automobile and driver's clubs around the world).

Insurance is cheap and mandatory.

The speed limit in residential areas is 30 km/h (19 mph), and in urban areas it is 60 km/h (37 mph). There is a national speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).

The country has a well-maintained network of roads that connect all major cities in the Andean areas, and the ones in the Caribbean Coast. There are often landslides on roads and highways during the rainy season (November to February). Smaller landslides may reduce roads to one lane, causing significant tailbacks; larger landslides may entirely a road to traffic for days. There are many toll crossings; the fee is about US$3.00. There are also plenty of dirt roads of variable quality. International land travel is only possible to Ecuador and Venezuela.

By bus
Travel by bus is widespread and has different levels of quality. Long-distance trips rarely cost over US$55 (one way). When acquiring tickets for the bus, the local custom is that the passenger comes to the terminal and buys a ticket for the next available bus going to the desired destination. Depending on the company or terminal, it may even impossible to purchase a ticket more than a few hours in advance! Therefore, it is recommendable to know at least when a particular service starts and ends in a day. Long distance bus travel tends to be very slow because main highways are two-lane roads with lots of truck traffic. Many routes wind high in the mountains (3,000 m+) and travel sickness may combine with altitude sickness. For any distance more than 5 hours, you may want to check into air travel.

Some of the major companies that offers routes to the north of Bogotá and Medellin to the Caribbean coast and the areas in between the two cities:

Other companies that go to multiple cities and towns in the southern part of the country, south of Bogotá and Medellin and the areas between two cities; and down towards the Ecuadorian border: There are numerous other bus companies and drivers' unions throughout the country that operate more locally at varying distances of a particular city or town or within a department or between adjacent departments. See or contribute to those articles of particular locality as to what is available. In the Amazonas, Los Llanos and in the remote parts of the southern regions towards Leticia and the Pacific coast the roads are limited to none, so are the bus services. In addition some of these remote areas especially those near the borders with Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador; Amazon rainforest in the southeast and towards the Pacific Coast may still be unsafe to travel to and around due to ongoing guerrilla activity. Inquire locally before going.

For finding intercity bus connections you can use RedBus.co or the according app. As of Sept 2021, it's good for finding intercity bus companies that serve a route and a price estimation. Even though the actual displayed departure times may be not correct.

By urban bus
Around the turn of this century urban centers in Colombia saw the development of a highly efficient and neat bus transit systems that are spreading to other countries. In Bogotá you can find the Transmilenio, in Medellín el Metroplus, in Cali el Mio, in Barranquilla Transmetro, in Bucaramanga Metrolínea, in Pereira the Megabús.

It is still recommended that you keep an eye on your belongings and that you do not carry valuables, excess cash (more than COP$20,000 visible) or unnecessary items. Never accept food or drinks from strangers. Avoid talking to strangers at bus stops or terminals. It is possible you may be stopped at police check points. A calm attitude is the best key to avoid inconveniences.

By metro
The only metro system of Colombia is in Medellín, in the Department (state) of Antioquia. It connects the outlying suburban towns with the barrios of Medellín - Line A departs from La Estrella to Barrio Niquía, Line B from Barrio San Antonio to Barrio San Javíer. The metro system also has two cable car lines: Metrocable Line K from Barrio Acevedo to Barrio Santo Domingo Savio and Metrocable Line J departing from Barrio San Javier. Riding the cable cars is a unique experience, as passengers travel up the mountains in gondolas. The MetroCable has six stations and an extension to the Parque Arví ecopark. Ride to Parque Arvi costs about US$4 (COP$3500). There, after a 20-minutes trip in the gondola carts you reach an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level.

By taxi
The taxi networks in big cities such as Bogotá are extensive. The prices vary a lot between cities, Bogotá for example being relatively inexpensive while Cartagena pricey. A (bright yellow) taxi journey across Bogotá, can take up to a day but cost less than US$15.

If you order a taxi by phone the company will then give you the taxi registration number. Then the taxi will be waiting at the given address. You may need to give them a three or four digit code given to you when you book the taxi. During the day some taxi ranks outside hotels, office buildings and government offices will only allow certified drivers and companies and will also take your name and details when you board the taxi. Taxis from city to city are easy to arrange by phoning ahead and agreeing the price, it will still be cheap by western standards and is safe and quite agreeable.

The meter in all taxis starts at COP$25, and then increases over distance. The number it arrives at corresponds to a tariff that will be on display on the front seat of the cab. Taxi and bus prices increase on Sundays, public holidays, early in the morning and late at night. There are also extra charges for baggage and for booking in advance by telephone.

Unlike many other countries it is not customary to tip the taxi driver. It's up to the individual.

Many taxis are not allowed to travel outside of Bogotá due to boundary restrictions with their licences. You should always make arrangements to travel outside of Bogotá by taxi ahead of time.

In some locations (Las Aguas in the Candelaria district of Bogotá for example) you may find an individual acting as a tout for taxi drivers - they will offer you a taxi and lead you to a particular cab. They then receive a small tip from the driver.

It has become very common, in big cities, to use apps to hail cabs. Tappsi and EasyTaxi seem to be quite popular. Uber service is available in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín.

By cable car
Since most of the Colombian population lives in the Andes, cable car systems are becoming popular for both commuting and tourist transportation. You can ride the ones in Manizales and Medellín, which are integrated in the Metro system, and the ones in rural small towns of Antioquia: Jardín, Jericó, Sopetrán and San Andrés de Cuerquia. Also enjoy the magnificent view of the new cable car above the Chicamocha river canyon in Santander.

See
Much of Colombia is in the Andes, which means there is very beautiful mountainous scenery to be found. On the other hand, there are also nice beaches to be found in the lowlands. The altitude of some peaks mean that snow can be seen even though they lie in the tropics.

Sports
Football (soccer) is Colombia's national sport, and Colombia's national team is one of the stronger ones in the world, having produced several world-class players such as Carlos Valderrama, Iván Córdoba and James Rodríguez. Matches against Argentina in particular tend to draw a lot of attention from the locals.

Domestically, the top tier of Colombia's football league system is the Categoría Primera A, and Colombians also take their domestic rivalries very seriously.

Do
There are a lot of things to do in Colombia, and you can find parties and celebrations wherever you go. Colombians especially love to dance, and if you don't know how, they'll happily teach you. Colombia is known for its exciting night life.

There are many groups and agencies offering eco-tourism and it is very usual to find trekking plans (locally named 'caminatas' or 'excursiones')  on weekend; many groups (named 'caminantes') offers cheaper one day excursion, special trips (on long weekends or during periods of vacation time (January, Holy Week, July, August, October, December)  to different places in the country. Some recommended groups based out of Bogotá are: Viajar y Vivir, Fundación Sal Si Puedes, Caminantes del Retorno; there are many other.  Patianchos in Medellín; Rastros in Bucaramanga. They usually offer guidance and transportation to the place; on long trips include lodging and other services. The recommendation is asking if the guide has the official certification.

Money
The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso, but the symbol you will encounter is $ (ISO code: COP). Wikivoyage uses the notation "COP$" for clarity.

Coins of Colombia are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Banknotes of Colombia are issued in denominations of 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 pesos.

Most banks and money changes will accept major world currencies such as the U.S. dollar and the euro.

ATMs
ATMs are widely available, with varying withdrawal limits (as of June 2021, unless otherwise noted):

 * Citibank - COP$1,000,000 w/ extra fees
 * Scotiabank Colpatria - COP$900,000
 * Bancolombia - COP$600,000
 * BBVA - COP$300,000
 * Davivienda - COP$2,700,000 (Feb 2024)

For withdrawing money, the ATMs of BBVA, Davivienda, Scotiabank/Colpatria do not charge a fee. Sometimes the withdrawal receipt shows a commission, but it is not charged on your bank account. Fees of other banks are:

 * Banco Populaire – COP$13,200
 * Banco de Bogota – COP$13,200
 * Banco Occidente – COP$13,200
 * Banco Agrario – COP$16,000
 * Bancolombia – COP$21,500

If you are withdrawing from a non-Colombian bank, some ATMs will ask if you wish to accept the bank's exchange rate for your currency. If its exchange rate is less favorable that your own bank's conversion rate, you may reject its rate so your own bank can calculate the exchange.

Costs
If there is no price tag, ask for the price first. The simple question is "¿Cuánto cuesta?" and is easily understood by Colombians.

Typical prices
A modest, clean (and occasionally charming) hotel is US$20-25. A very good rated hostel with shared bed rooms is usually US$5-10. A meal (often including soup and drink) in a local simple restaurant is for US$2.50-4. A nice meal in an upper mid-range restaurant has a price tag of about US$15. For two beers it's US$0.60-1.00 at "tiendas" or similar stores, US$1.5-3 at bars. An air conditioned intercity bus for 100 km is about US$6 (cheaper per km for longer trips, more for dirt roads). Urban transport costs US$0.50-0.90. All stated prices are as of November 2021.

Tipping
A service charge of 10% is generally added to the bill in nice restaurants (if it's not, you should add it yourself). Tipping taxi drivers is not common. Most "tipping" is merely rounding up to the nearest thousand pesos (e.g., rounding up your cafe bill to COP$7,000 from COP$6,700). Private tour guides do not need to be tipped, but it is common to do so, if you liked the guide.

In some restaurants and bars that include the tip (la propina) in the bill, this extra money often does not make it into the hands of the staff person who serves you. Instead, it is simply kept by the owners. With this in mind, many Colombians will pay the bill without the tip (in cash or with credit card) and then hand a cash tip to the staff member (waiter, bartender, etc.) who served them.

Shopping
The Colombian textile industry is well-recognized and reputable around South America and Europe. Clothing, including lingerie is particularly well-regarded as high quality and very affordable. Leather garments, shoes and accessories are also of interest to foreigners. The best place to buy either is Medellín, known for being the fashion capital of the country, where one can buy very high quality goods at a very low cost.

Colombian emeralds and gold (18k) jewelry can also be very attractive for visitors. A typical Colombian style of jewelry is a copy of precolombian jewelry, which is fabricated with gold, silver and semi-precious stones.

The "mochila", the Spanish word for "backpack" or "rucksack", is also a traditional, indigenous, hand-woven Colombian bag, normally worn over the shoulder. They are commonly sold in shopping malls, especially in the Santa Marta/El Rodadero area. Mochilas usually come in three sizes - a large one to carry bigger things, a medium one to carry personal belongings, and a small one to carry coca leaves. Coca leaves are carried by local tribe members to reduce hunger, increase energy and to combat altitude sickness.

Handicrafts such as intricately designed jewelry are commonly sold in markets and on street corners. Many street vendors will approach people, selling T-shirts, shorts, glasses, bracelets, watches, necklaces, souvenirs, and novelty photographs. If you want to buy something, this is a good time to exercise your bargaining skills. Usually you can go down by COP$2,000-3,000, however 10%-15% is the generally accepted rule. For example, if someone is selling a shirt for COP$10,000, try asking if you can pay COP$8,000. Go from there.

If you don't want to buy anything, a simple gracias, ("thank you") and a non-committal wave of your hand will deter would-be sellers.

Eat
Pre-Columbian civilizations cultivated about 200 varieties of potatoes, and they remain popular today. Try the local preparations like papas saladas (salted potatoes) or papas chorriadas (stewed potatoes). Most meals feature some kind of meat with rice, potatoes, and avocados. In the coastal areas, the rice is usually flavored with coconut.

Both restaurants and family meals often feature soup, and, in the mountain areas, you may even be served a milk-based soup called changua for breakfast.

Compared to nearby countries, Colombian food is not nearly as spicy as Mexican food. Fruit juice is particularly popular. Some foods with the same name are quite different. For example, empanadas, made with potato and meat with a pouch-like yellow exterior, are delicious and entirely different from their Mexican and Argentinian counterparts. In many areas of Colombia, it is common to have buñuelos (deep fried corn flour balls with cheese in the dough) and arepas (rather thick corn tortillas, often made with cheese and served with butter) with scrambled eggs for breakfast. Bogotá and the central region have its own breakfast delicacy of tamales: maize and chopped pork or chicken with vegetables and eggs, steamed in plantain leaves, often served with homemade hot chocolate.

For lunch, especially on Sundays, you should try a sancocho de gallina (rich chicken soup, served with part of the chicken itself, rice and vegetables or salad). Sancocho is widespread throughout the country, with countless regional variants. On the coast it features fish, and is highly recommended. Another soup, served in Bogotá and the periphery, is Ajiaco (chicken soup made with three different kinds of potato, vegetables and herbs (guasca), served with rice, avocado, corn, milk cream and capers).

Bandeja paisa was almost the official national dish of Colombia. However, the tourism industry pushes it as such. The name translates roughly as "the peasant's plate". This filling dish includes rice, beans, fried plantain, arepa (corn bread), fried egg, chorizo sausage, chicharrón (pork crackling) with the meat still attached. It's a very fatty dish, but you can leave what you don't like, and if you're lucky enough, you could find a gourmet bandeja paisa in a good restaurant in Bogotá or Medellín. They are lighter and smaller.

In Colombia there are a great variety of tamales but they are very different from their most famous Mexican cousins. They differ from region to region, but all of them are delicious. Envueltos are the sweet tamales made of corn. There are a few chain restaurants in the country. In addition to worldwide franchises (McDonald's, Subway, T.G.I.F., which are specially focused on Bogotá and other big cities), Colombian chains are very strong and located in almost every city. Presto and especially El Corral serve outstanding burgers, Kokoriko makes broiled chicken, and Frisby specializes in roasted chicken. Gokela is the first choice among people wanting healthy options such as wraps, salads, super foods, supplements, and subsequently one of the only options for vegetarians, vegans and organic eaters. Crêpes and Waffles, as the name indicates, is an upscale breakfast/brunch restaurant with spectacular crêpes, waffles, and ice cream. There are many international restaurants, including rodizios (Brazilian steak house style), and paella houses.

Organic food is a current trend in big cities, but in little towns you can get fruits and veggies all very natural and fresh. Colombians aren't used to storing food for the winter, since there are no seasons in the traditional sense. So don't ask them for dried items like dried tomatoes or fruits. All you have to do is go shopping at the little grocery stores nearby and pick up the freshest of the harvest of the month (almost everything is available and fresh all year). As for pickles and related preserved food, you can find them in supermarkets, but they are not common in family households.

Sweets
Bread and pastry is easily available from a neighborhood bakeries. Pastry is prevalent, both salty and sweet, including pandebono, pan de yuca, pastel gloria, and roscon. These vary in quality—ask the locals for the best niche places to indulge.

Colombians are famous for having a sweet tooth, so you are going to find a lot of desserts and local candies like bocadillo made of guayaba (guava fruit), or the most famous milk-based arequipe (similar to its Argentinian cousin dulce leche or the French confiteure du lait). That just covers the basics, since every region in Colombia has its own fruits, local products, and therefore its own range of sweet products. If you are a lover of rare candies, you could get artisan-made candies in the little towns near Bogotá and Tunja.

A great variety of tropical fruits can be tasted, and the corresponding variety in juices, from some of the oddest ones you can find around the globe (really) to the sweetest ones. Some examples of those exotic fruits include: tamarinds, mangoes, guanabanas, lulo, mangostines (really great and rare even for Colombians), and a great variety in citrus. In addition, you can find some of those rich and strange flavors in prepared food like ice cream brands or restaurant juices. Fruit juice is a very common and popular drink. Most of Colombians drink juices at home and in restaurants. They are inexpensive and natural everywhere.

Regarding coffee, you can find a lot of products that are both made commercially and homemade from this very famous Colombian product, like wines, cookies, candies, milk-based desserts like arequipe, ice-cream, etc.

The tres leches cake is not to be missed. A sponge cake soaked in milk, covered in whipped cream, then served with condensed milk, it is for the serious dairy fiend only. Another delicious milk-based dessert is leche asada, a milk custard similar to the better-known flan.

Drink
For breakfast, take a home-made hot drink. The choices normally include coffee, hot chocolate or agua de panela. The latter is a drink prepared with panela (dried cane juice), sometimes with cinnamon and cloves, which gives it a special taste. Coffee is usually taken with a lot of milk. In Bogotá and the region around, it's customary to use cheese along with the drink, in a way that small pieces of cheese are put into the cup and then after they are melt, you can use a spoon to pick them up and eat it like a soup. It is the same way to drink hot chocolate.

Colombia's national alcoholic beverage, Aguardiente (a.k.a. guaro), tastes strongly of anise, and is typically bought by the bottle or half bottle or a quarter. People usually drink it in shots. Each region has its own aguardiente, "Antioqueño" (from Antioquia), "Cristal" (from Caldas), "Quindiano" (from Quindío), "Blanco del Valle" (from Valle del Cauca) and "Nectar" (from Cundinamarca). There is also a variety of rum beverages, like "Ron Santa Fe" (also from Cundinamarca), "Ron Medellín Añejo" (also from Antioquia), "Ron Viejo de Caldas" (also from Caldas) among others.

The water is drinkable right from the tap in most of the major cities, but be prepared to buy some bottles if you go to the countryside. Agua Manantial Bottled water is recommended, it comes from a natural spring near Bogotá. An advice, make sure you do not use ice cubes, or drink any beverage that might contain non distilled water, ask if the beverage is made with tap or bottled/boiled water.

If you are lucky enough, and if you are staying in a familiar "finca cafetera" (coffee farm) you can ask your Colombian friends not only for the selected coffee (quality export) but for the remaining coffee that the farmers leave to their own use. This is manually picked, washed, toasted in rustic brick stoves and manually ground. It has the most exquisite and rare flavor and aroma ever found.

In Bogotá and the rest of the country, black filter coffee is referred to as "tinto" - confusing if you were expecting red wine.

Also, you can find specialized places where you can drink coffee with many different combinations (like Juan Valdés Café or Oma), hot or frozen preparations.

Commercially, you can find a lot of products made out of coffee too like wines, ice-creams, soda-pops and other beverages.

Sleep
In Colombia you can find a range of options, bed and breakfast conditioned to western standards and hostels to five-star hotels. There are also apartments that rent per day.

Motels vs hotels
A quick word of caution; in Colombia a "motel" is not the same as what one normally finds in the United States. The term motel in Latin America usually refers to a place of accommodation where the rooms are rented on a short term basis, typically for romantic assignations. Hotels, by contrast, are places of accommodation for travelers and are typically family friendly. Many hotels will not permit persons who are not registered as guests to go beyond the reception area. This is for the safety of both the guests and hotel staff and also to protect the hotel's reputation in what is still a culturally conservative and Catholic country. So visitors looking for a place to enjoy the physical company of another, will often use motels. Also privacy is something of a premium in Colombia, with children often living at home until they are married. For this and other practical reasons, couples, even married couples desiring a little intimacy, sometimes rent a room at a motel. These motels are common in Colombia and do not carry the social stigma that used to be associated with so called "no tell motels" in the United States or Canada. The quality and price of motel accommodations varies, sometimes drastically, with most being clean and well kept. Rooms are engaged anonymously with the tariff and any associated charges usually being paid on a cash only basis.

Learn
Colombia education is generally strict and is kept to high standards. Many Colombian issued degrees are recognized globally. A typical Bachelor's degree program in Colombia is 160 credits or 5 years long. You can find several programs in different universities around the country.

Learn Spanish
Colombian Spanish is considered by many around the world as the purest in Latin America and there are many universities and language schools that have Spanish programs.

Learn Salsa
Colombia is one of the mother countries of Salsa and you will be able to listen to this music all over the place. In the last years several of the Salsa World Champions came from Colombia. Especially in Cali and Cartagena there are plenty of clubs and schools.

Work
If you want to work for a national company, such as Bancolombia/Conavi, Avianca, or Presto, you must be able to speak Spanish with near-native fluency. Depending on your qualifications, companies may offer Spanish lessons, however always make sure that you are indeed eligible for the position advertised. You can teach English for extra money, especially in smaller cities where the demand for it is high. Also you could work for a non-governmental organization.

Cope
If eligible, you can extend your visa or visa-free stay online. You fill out the form, upload the required documents and pay after you get an e-mail that your application was pre-approved. The whole process can be done online.

The 90 day visa-free stay can be extended for another 90 days. It's free for EU citizens, otherwise COP$105,000 (August 2021). If you want to stay (almost) 180 days in one piece in Colombia, check if you need to wait 180 days after it to re-enter Colombia visa-free or with a visa.

For example for picking up a foreigner ID card, the migration offices are in charge.

Stay safe
Colombia has suffered from a terrible reputation as a dangerous and violent country but the situation has improved dramatically since the 1980s and 1990s. Colombia is on the path to recovery, and Colombians are very proud of the progress they have made. These days, Colombia is generally safe to visit, with the violent crime rate being lower than that in Mexico or Brazil, as long as you avoid poorer areas of the cities at night, and do not venture off the main road into the jungle where guerrillas are likely to be hiding.

The security situation varies greatly around the country. The Travel Risk Map covers Colombia and shows the current safety levels throughout the country. Most jungle regions are not safe to visit, but the area around Leticia is very safe, and the areas around Santa Marta are OK. No one should visit the Darien Gap at the border with Panama (in the north of Chocó), Putumayo or Caquetá, which are very dangerous, active conflict zones. Other departments with significant rural violence include the Atlantic departments of Chocó, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca; eastern Meta, Vichada, and Arauca in the east; and all Amazonian departments except for Amazonas. That's not to say that these departments are totally off-limits — just be sure you are either traveling with locals who know the area or sticking to cities and tourist destinations. In general, if you stick to the main roads between major cities and do not wander off into remote parts of the jungle, you are unlikely to run into trouble, and you are much more likely to encounter a Colombian army checkpoint than an illegal guerrilla roadblock.

Landmines
Colombia is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. So don't walk around blithely through the countryside without consulting locals. Land mines are found in 31 out of Colombia's 32 departments, and new ones are planted every day by guerrillas, paramilitaries, and drug traffickers.

Paramilitaries
There was an agreement in 2005 with the government which resulted in the disarmament of some of the paramilitaries. However they are still active in drug business, extortion rackets, and as a political force. They do not target tourists specifically, but running up against an illegal rural roadblock in more dangerous departments is possible.

Kidnappings
At the turn of the millennium Colombia had the highest rates of kidnapping in the world, a result of being one of the most cost-effective ways of financing for the guerrillas of the FARC and the ELN and other armed groups. Fortunately, the security situation has much improved and the groups involved are today much weakened, with the number of kidnappings dropping from 3,000 in 2000 down to 205 cases in 2016. Today kidnappings are still a problem in some southern departments like Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and Caquetá. Colombian law makes the payment of ransom illegal, therefore the police may not be informed in some circumstances.

Guerrillas
The guerrilla movements which include FARC and ELN guerrillas are still operational, though they are greatly weakened compared to the 1990s as the Colombian army has killed most of their leaders. These guerrillas operate mainly in rural parts of southern, southeastern and northwestern Colombia, although they have a presence in 30 out of the country's 32 departments. Big cities hardly ever see guerrilla activity these days. Even in rural areas, if you stick to the main roads between major cities and do not wander off the beaten track, you are far more likely to encounter soldiers from the Colombian army than guerrillas. River police, highway police, newspapers, and fellow travelers can be a useful source of information off-the-beaten-path.

Crime
The crime rate in Colombia has been significantly reduced since its peak in the late 1980s and 1990s, with the police having arrested or killed many of the important leaders of the drug cartels. However, major urban centers and the countryside of Colombia still have very high violent crime rates, comparable to blighted cities in the United States, and crime has been on the increase. In the downtown areas of most cities (which rarely coincide with the wealthy parts of town) violent crime is not rare; poor sections of cities can be quite dangerous for someone unfamiliar with their surroundings. Taxi crime is a very serious danger in major cities, so always request taxis by phone or app, rather than hailing them off the street — it costs the same and your call will be answered rapidly. Official taxi ranks are safe as well (airports, bus terminals, shopping malls).

Drugs
Local consumption is low, and penalties are draconian, owing to the nation's well-known largely successful fight against some of history's most powerful and dangerous traffickers. Remember that the drug trade in Colombia has ruined many innocent citizens' lives and dragged the country's reputation through the mud.

Marijuana is illegal to buy and sell, although officially you can carry up to 20 grams without being charged for it. Police will tolerate you having a few grams of this drug on your person, but you are flirting with danger if you carry much more. Especially in small towns, it is not always the police you have to deal with, but vigilantes. They often keep the peace in towns, and they have a very severe way of dealing with problems.

Scopolamine is an extremely dangerous drug from an Andean flowering tree, which is almost exclusively used for crime, and nearly all the world's incidents of such use take place in Colombia. Essentially a mind control drug (once experimented with as an interrogation device by the CIA), victims become extremely open to suggestion and are "talked into" ATM withdrawals, turning over belongings, letting criminals into their apartments, etc., all while maintaining an outward appearance of more or less sobriety. After affects include near total amnesia of what happened, as well as potential for serious medical problems. The most talked about method of getting drugged with scopolamine is that of powder blown off paper, e.g., someone walks up to you (with cotton balls in their nose to prevent blowback) and asks for help with a map, before blowing the drugs into your face. But by far the most common method is by drugging drinks at a bar. To be especially safe, abandon drinks if they've been left unattended. While a pretty rare problem, it's an awfully scary one, and happens most often in strip clubs or other establishments involving sex workers.

Stay healthy
Drink only bottled water outside the major cities. The water in major cities is safe. Most drinking water in people's homes is either boiled or of the purified variety that comes in huge multi-gallon plastic bags (which you can find at any little grocery store). The coffee's delicious, though, so why not just start that habit!

The tourism website of Colombia has the current information on COVID-19.

Tropical diseases are a concern in lowland parts of the country, and more so outside of major cities. Mosquitoes carry malaria, Yellow fever, and Dengue, and infection rates are similar to other lowland parts of South America (i.e., much lower than in sub-Saharan Africa). Yellow fever has a vaccine, so get it—it's required for entry to many national parks, anyway. Dengue is not preventable beyond avoiding mosquito bites, so using bug spray regularly in lowland rural areas is good sense.

Malaria is a potential problem, so trips outside Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Andean region warrant use of antimalarials, which can be bought very cheaply without a prescription from a droguería, which are everywhere in any city of any size throughout the country. Ask for Doxycicline tablets at a dosage of 100 mg, with the number being 30 days plus the number of days in a malarial area (so you can start 1–2 days in advance, and take it daily continuing for 4 weeks past the end of your trip). The phrase you want is: doxyciclina, cien miligramos, [number] pastillas. Using some bug spray in the evening serves as a bit of extra protection.

Cases of  Zika virus have been reported in Colombia. Zika is a mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious birth defects. Travellers who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should avoid travel to this country.

Respect
Colombians are acutely aware of their country's bad reputation, and tactless remarks about the history of violence might earn you a snide remark (likely regarding your country of origin) and an abrupt end to the conversation. However, Colombians eventually become willing to discuss these topics once they feel comfortable enough with someone.

Colombians are more formal than much of Latin America. Make a point to say "please" ("Por favor" or "Hágame el favor") and "thank you" ("muchas gracias") for anything, to anyone. When addressed, the proper response is "¿Señora?" or "¿Señor?" In parts of the country (especially Boyacá) Colombians can be formal to the point of anachronism, calling strangers "Su merced" (your Mercy!) in place of usted. The one (much) more informal part of the country is along the Caribbean coast, where referring to people just as "chico" can be more the norm—but take your cues from those around you.

Race is not a hot issue in Colombia, since whites, criollos, and mestizos (mixed race) blend naturally with natives and Afro-Colombians in everyday life (education, living, politics, marriage). Differences between white foreigners are not dwelled upon: expect to be called "gringo" even if you are, say, Russian. Unless context includes anger, it's not meant to be offensive. If you are black, you will probably be referred to as "negro" or "moreno," which also are not considered at all offensive. Asians are usually called "chino" (Chinese), regardless of actual background. Confusingly, Colombians from the inner regions also occasionally refer to children as chinos ("kids"); this use comes from Chibcha, an indigenous language. Even more confusingly, Colombians refer to blondes and redheads as "monos" (monkeys). It sounds offensive, but actually ranges from neutral to affectionate. Colombians have the mannerism of pointing to objects with their chins or lips; pointing to a person or even an object with your finger can be considered rude or less discreet.

Avoid indicating a person's height using your hand palm down, as this is considered reserved for animals or inanimate objects. If you must, use your palm facing sidewards with the bottom of the hand expressing the height.

Colombians dance a lot. Anyone will be glad to teach you how to dance, and they will not expect you to do it correctly, since they have been practicing every weekend for most of their lives. Colombian night life centers mostly on dancing, and bars where people sit or stand are less common outside major cities. Despite the sensual movements, dancing is normally not intended as flirtation. It is applied in the same way as in Brazil—an almost-naked "garota" dancing samba in the carnival is not inviting you to have sex with her but inviting you to enjoy, to be happy, to join in the celebration, to join the exuberant shedding of inhibitions.

Gay and lesbian travelers
Most Colombians are Catholic, although you'll find that young people are quite relaxed about religion, especially with regards to social issues. Public displays of affection are rare, though, and may elicit uncomfortable stares. Verbal and physical homophobic violence is not necessarily unheard of, and unfortunately less aggressive homophobia may be more widespread than what politeness masks. Overall, Colombian attitudes to homosexuality are pretty similar to what you find in the United States.

You can find more liberally-minded areas (at least about LGBT issues) in Bogotá's Chapinero district. It is home to what may be the biggest LGBT community in Colombia, and is the focal point of the community's nightlife in Bogotá (if not the whole country), with explicitly gay-friendly establishments such as Theatron (arguably one of the biggest discos in South America). LGBT pride parades also take place in some of the major cities sometime around late June and early July.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colombia since April 2016.

Carriers
It's simple enough to get a SIM card and even an unlocked phone at the international airport in Bogotá, although there is, of course, a price hike. They're not hard to find in any city either, just ask your hotel or hostel staff where to go. Topping up is also easy, and can be done pretty much on any street corner.

The carriers you'll most likely see are Claro, Tigo, and Movistar. Claro has the widest coverage in the country, if you expect to get off the beaten path. You can choose (as of July 2021) between All of them have unlimited domestic calls and texting. For recharging in a SuperGiro or lottery shop you simply write down or show your phone number and the price of the option. You can recharge online, if it's possible with your international credit card.
 * 2 days 400MB for COP$3,000
 * 6 days 1GB for COP$6,000
 * 10 days 2GB for COP$10,000
 * 20 days 4.5GB for COP$20,000
 * 30 days 10GB for COP$40,000

Virgin Mobile might be the best option if you want to have internet for a low price. It might take a bit longer to find a spot that sells the sim cards. It should cost COP$5k-10k pesos.

Dialling
From landlines:

To call from a landline to another local landline, dial the normal seven digits. To call from a landline to a mobile, dial twelve digits, always beginning with 03, followed by the ten digit number provided.

It's far more complex to make long-distance domestic calls or international calls. Ask whoever owns the phone to dial it for you. If that's not an option, buy a mobile phone. Seriously.

From mobiles and from abroad:

To call a Colombian landline from another country or from a mobile phone in Colombia, use the +57 country code then the eight digit number (the first of which is the area code). To dial to a mobile phone, dial +57 and then the ten digit number. You can also type "00" instead of the "+".

Post
Colombia does not have a government-run post office system. However, the private firm 4-72 serves as Colombia's de facto postal service, though it tends to be somewhat slow and unreliable. Locals rarely use the 4-72 service and usually go to couriers such as Servientrega, which have many more branches than 4-72, though they are very expensive when used to send mail overseas.

Internet cafés
Internet cafés are easy to find in any city or town. Expect rates depending on how much competition there is (i.e., cheap in Bogotá, expensive in the middle of nowhere). Quality of connection is directly related to the centrality of location, and hence inversely related to price.

Go next
Crossing the land border is possible to Ecuador, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela.

To cross the land border to Brazil and Peru, take a flight to Leticia. To enter Ecuador on land, you could fly to Ipiales or Pasto near the border.

title: Colombia


text:
Colombian Islands

Colombia has several island territories in the Caribbean and in the Pacific.

Understand
Northeast of San Andrés and Providencia are several uninhabited shoals, banks, and atolls (some of which are wholly submerged either all the time or during high tide), which are administered by Colombia. They are nearly all mired in territorial disputes with various Central American states as well as the United States, and are not tourist destinations.

Talk
The main language spoken is Spanish, but many speak English as well. The actual natives from the island speak "patua", which is a mix of English, Spanish, and French.

By plane
Daily flights serve various Colombian cities (Medellín, Cali and Bogotá) to San Andres's Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport. All flights to Providencia are originated in San Andrés.

Direct flights also depart from San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama to San Andres.

By boat
The closest mainland area to San Andrés and Providencia is Caribbean Nicaragua, particularly Bluefields. There are sometimes cruises or ferries, but they are rarely advertised online and just going to the port and hoping you get lucky will likely not work.

Get around
Bus is the main form of transportation on the island. It is cheap and convenient. Most buses connect the main city of San Andres with other parts of the island. Also there are many places to rent everything from cars, to motorcycles, to bikes.

Do
Scuba diving is amazing here, as is snorkeling. There are many places that offer jet skis, kayaks, wind surfing, kite surfing, horseback riding, submarine tours and many other options. There are also many people that come here mainly for the great duty free shopping and cheaper electronics.

Stay safe
San Andres is perfectly safe Caribbean island to visit, that is many many miles away from some of the problems found on the mainland.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Colombian Islands


text:
Colombo

Colombo (Sinhala: කොළඹ, Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and still perceived by many as the capital though the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is now the official capital. Just like another typical South Asian big city, Colombo is congested, noisy, busy, and vibrant with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings. It is the financial centre of the island and a popular tourist destination.

Understand
Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, a suburb east of the city. "Colombo" could refer to either the city proper, or to Greater Colombo that includes the areas of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

Due to it being on a strategic route in the Indian Ocean, Colombo hosts one of the busiest ports in South Asia, and was known to traders 2,000 years ago. It was an important port on the Maritime Silk Road. Today, the city is the centre of the country's activities and is home to most of the country's restaurants and entertainment venues.

Climate
Colombo has a tropical monsoon climate, bordering on tropical rainforest climate, so the weather is warm or hot around the year with temperatures usually around -, and wet during much of the year. For the best weather, visit during the north-east monsoon season, including the driest months December to March. There's also a shorter dryer period in July and August.

History
The Portuguese gave the city its current name, which is derived from Sinhala: kolon thota - "port on the river Kelani" or kola-amba-thota - "harbour with leafy/green mango trees" or kolamba - "ford or harbour". And thanks to its natural harbour it has been a trading point for thousands of years, visited by traders from as far as China and the Roman Empire. From the 8th century Arab traders settled in the area and eventually came to control the trade through Colombo.

They were followed by the Portuguese, who in 1505 made a treaty with the Kingdom of Kotte where they were allowed to establish a trading post in Colombo and trade in cinnamon in exchange for protection from outer invaders. The Portuguese eventually set up a fort, expelled the Arabs from Colombo and proceeded to take over the whole island, formerly ruled by many kingdoms, over the course of the 16th century. The surroundings where the fort stood are now known as the Fort district, though the Dutch tore it down replacing it with their own fort, which the British replaced with military barracks and other buildings, and the barracks were demolished in the 1970s to make room for the Colombo World Trade Center.

The Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka was marked by a long war, the Sinhalese-Portuguese war from 1527 to 1658. The Dutch, Portugal's main rival during the age of colonization became involved in the war and took over Colombo in 1656. The city became a centre for the Dutch East India Company's operations on the island, and by that they also came to control the rich cinnamon lands in the region.

In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, Colombo was captured by the British, first serving as a military base and from 1815 on as the capital of British Ceylon. During British rule, Colombo grew and started developing into the city it is today and many of its notable landmarks were built during this period. The first representative government on Sri Lanka, the Legislative Council of Ceylon, was established in 1833.

After World War II, in 1948, Ceylon became a British dominion, and in 1972 an independent republic. After that a decision was made to move the capital out of Colombo, to the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The new parliament opened in 1982 and officially it is the national capital, but the relocation of governmental offices is reportedly still in progress. Even so, Colombo, the biggest city by far, remains the commercial capital and the centre of much of what's going on in Sri Lanka.

Orientation
Colombo is divided into numbered administrative districts. They're used for postal services but also for indicating where in the city a place is, and some businesses include them in their address information. There are 15 districts in Colombo. Outer districts have higher numbers – see the adjacent map.

Visitor information

 * Colombo information from Sri Lanka Travel website

By plane
Air service to Colombo is provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines and foreign airlines, mostly from India and Asia. Direct flights are available from major centres in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast and East Asia and Australia, as well as from many cities throughout the subcontinent.

Ground transportation serving Bandaranaike International Airport
The international airport is closer to Negombo than to Colombo, so if you're arriving late or departing early, it might be a better option to stay the night in Negombo. Confirm the cost of any mode of transport before using it.

By taxi
The journey from Colombo Fort will take about 40 minutes by taxi, if taking the toll expressway (Highway E03), and is the fastest option available. Unless you ask to take the expressway, the taxi will take a normal, much slower road, as the toll expressway between Colombo and the airport costs Rs 450 each way.

At the airport, immediately after leaving customs there's a taxi counter on your right. Tell them your destination and they will print you a voucher with the price. An A/C van from the airport to Colombo 1 (Fort) costs Rs 7500 (2024). Other popular taxi services: Kangaroo Taxi and Taxi Yala airport taxi service  Airport Taxi booking. Most 4- or 5-star hotels have their own counter just outside the arrivals hall.

You can also take a tri-shaw aka tuk-tuk from the bus depot (get there by free airport shuttle bus), it takes about an hour and Rs 1500 (2011) from airport to Galle Road.

By bus
This is the cheapest way to get into Colombo, but will take some effort and time. There are types of two buses.

 * Public bus #187 operates between the (about 1 km drive southeast of the airport) and the  (on the opposite side of the street from the station, about 50 metres west of the pedestrian overpass crossing the street).  These large non-A/C buses take about 90 minutes each way, departing every 20 minutes until 11:20 pm.  These buses take the regular road to the airport and make stops at marked bus stops along the way.  Bus fare is Rs 200 (as of 2024).  Luggage is best stored in the area immediately to the left of the bus driver, though the bus is not set up for transporting the largest size luggage that tourists may be using. Local buses traveling through Colombo Fort toward Pettah stop at the same bus stand as this #187 route, making it a very easy and short transfer.
 * Private bus #187 (with its sign identifying it has A/C) operates between the airport bus depot (just like the public bus) and the (about 700 m east of Colombo Fort train station, at the east end of the north most bus stand in the bus depot).  These medium sized buses are equipped with A/C and take the expressway, taking about 40 minutes each way, departing every 30 minutes until 10 pm.  Bus fare is Rs 320 (as of 2024), but taking luggage larger than a medium sized backpack costs extra.

By train
This is probably the least known way to get into Colombo, but completely possible. Take either the free airport shuttle to the bus station and then follow the road (Canada Friendship) to the Katunayaka South station (nearly 2 km, if you don't have luggage) otherwise just to take a tuk tuk right from the airport to the train station. The price should be a few hundred rupees.

Then, at the train station, get a ticket to Colombo Fort, you'll be arriving right next to where the buses drop people off. Cost is Rs 30. Compared to buses, the trains are much less frequent, do not operate as late, and sometimes are delayed, but consistently will take an hour between the stations. if you manage to just catch a train without much waiting. Check online timetable (look for Katunayake, as "Katunayake Airport" station is not in use) on one of the free computers in the terminal when arriving about the next train, if it suits you, it's an easy way into the city for very little.

By train
Long-distance train services are starting to improve after decades of neglect due to the civil war. Sri Lankan Railways resides over an increasing network with the central station Colombo-Fort as main hub. As of early 2021 there are daily trains from Jaffna, Kandy, Batticaloa and Badulla, and on weekends from Nanuoya. Nighttrains from Badulla, Batticoloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya.

Fort Station is in the heart of the city, next to Colombo Fort and Pettah and close to the meeting points of the A1 and A4 highways. The station provides access to businesses and offices in Colombo Fort, as well as the markets at Pettah.

Maradana Railway Station is another major rail hub in Colombo. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways, with many inter-city and commuter trains entering each day. It is the terminus of several intercity trains. Maradana is home to the suburban-Colombo network's centralised traffic control centre.

By bus
The Sri Lanka Transport Board is the government-owned bus service. Buses are the principal mode of transport in the country. If you cannot speak or understand Sinhalese, however, travelling by bus might prove more difficult than train travel but is entirely feasible and may be much quicker. Prepare for severe over-crowding and make sure to confirm your destination with the driver and conductor of the bus.

The three primary bus terminals — Bastian Mawatha, Central, and the Gunasinghapura Bus Terminals — are in Pettah.

By boat
Passenger services linking Sri Lanka with India at Tuticorin have been suspended for many years. It will still be many years until they are re-established, if ever.

By tri-shaw
Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. Some three-wheelers have built in meters or the drive uses a phone app that does the same. Drivers hanging out in tourist areas often will not have or not allow meters as an option. Ask if there is a meter and if there is not a meter to use, always negotiate and agree on a price before you take a trip. But it's best to hail a meter taxi (identified by the words "Meter Taxi" on its windshield) that is traveling in the direction that you need to go instead of hiring one from the parking area or the tuk-tuk stand. The meter taxi costs Rs 100 for the first kilometre and increases in increments of Rs 10 based on distance and waiting time. It is best to have an offline map, as drivers relying on meters will agree to take you without an understanding where they need to go, whereas drivers negotiating a price will not agree to a price unless they understand how to get to the destination.

The Sri Lankan Tourist Development Authority also operates its own fleet of 'tuk-tuks' around Colombo which are tourist friendly and metered to ensure that travellers are aware of the price being paid. Tourist board tuk tuks are distinguishable by their unique paintings. These three-wheelers can be booked 24 hours a day by calling 0712 500 800 or 0772 299 299.

By bus
Colombo has an extensive network of buses going around the city/region. It's fairly easy to find the right one by asking locals or your accommodation. Fares depend on the type of bus and distance. Fares are only for the trip on bus that you are riding. Prices start usually at Rs 30 (as of 2024). Traveling by bus is an adventure in itself!

By taxi
Taxis are safer and much more comfortable than tuk-tuks.. There are 'Tata Nano' cars in service nowadays and the charges start from Rs 40 per kilometre with air-conditioning. The tuk-tuks also offer their service for a fee of Rs 30 per km and do not forget to go for the ones with the "Metered Taxi" name board in front. Others may not have the meters running. Uber is available in Colombo with options for smaller cars (Go and Zip), as well as UberX, but XL is not available. A local ride-sharing app called Pick Me allows to order everything from a tuk tuk to a van, although there have been reports about the app not working for all users.

By car
Car rentals: it is also possible for travelers to hire car with or without a driver. Many companies based in Colombo offer such services.

Holy places

Mansions

Slave Island

 * is a commercial suburb popular with locals and visitors alike with shopping, eating and drinking places as well as many hotels. People of many cultures and religions including Malays, Sinhalese, Tamils and Burghers (Eurasian Sri Lankans), call the suburb home. Despite its name, it is not actually an island.

When Sri Lanka was a Portuguese colony, the area was a camp for African slaves, and due to this history, the British gave the island its name. During the British era the Slave Island railway station was built, a notable Victorian landmark. Many historical buildings have been replaced by modern high-rises or left to decay.

Buy
Places to shop include:

Gems and jewellery
Sri Lankan mines produce some fine gemstones, especially sapphires and moonstones, and Colombo is one of the main places where they are marketed. Cut but unmounted stones and finished jewellery are sold in many places. The beach town of Beruwela, about 55 km to the south, also has a large gem market. Ratnapura, 100 km south, is in the centre of the main gem mining area and also has large markets.

See our article on gemstones for more detail.

Eat
Sri Lankan food can be very spicy, so visitors not accustomed to spicy foods will need to exercise caution.

That said, Colombo has a wide range of food places, and there should be something for almost any combination of food preference and budget.

Budget
Available everywhere are small bakeries selling rotis (either flat or folded into triangles filled with egg, vegetable or fish), hoppers (bowl shaped pancakes made with coconut milk), and other "short eats" (bread-based snacks or fried foods). The price of individual items range from Rs 50-100.

Buy a "lunch packet" from street stands practically anywhere in the city. Typically, it will be a filling meal of rice and vegetables for about Rs 180.

Non alcoholic

 * Thembili තැබිලි (Orange Coconut juice) is safe, since they cut it open in front of you (uncontaminated).
 * Spring water with SLS certification are safe to drink.

Nightlife
Colombo's nightlife is on par with most other Asian destinations and features a number of establishments that offer decent music and drinks, served in a pleasant atmosphere. Expect the music to range from 80s retro to modern chart toppers as elegant partygoers dance the night away sipping the poison of their choice. Most clubs close around 04:00, R&B perhaps a little later.

Mount Lavinia
is about 20 minutes away from the city and has a good deal of nightlife. The beach and the friendly people draw plenty of visitors. Along the beach are a variety of restaurants that serve alcohol have food to suit every budget. The variety of the beach spots themselves are interesting, from nice little coves for a quiet chat and a drink to well lit, busy places with dance floors, music courtesy of a live DJ and well stocked bars. Try Jo Jo's, a quiet little place where they serve pretty decent food and drink and has a nice homey feel to it. Buba, on the other side of the Mount Lavinia Hotel which divides the public beach is also popular.

Mount Lavinia also serves as the gay district of Colombo. Although not home to any gay bars, it is a very gay friendly town and always plays host to Colombo's Gay Pride week in June. Do not be surprised if some bars have the rainbow flag flying on the beach.

Slave Island and surroundings
Popular watering holes include:

Most nightclubs may charge admission and smart/casual dress is encouraged with trousers and shoes a must.

After a night out, some people will end with a late night snack, try e.g., Hotel de Pilawoos along the Galle Road in Kollupitiya to enjoy a Chicken Roti (chicken and cheese wrapped in a roti) followed by an iced Milo (sweet chocolate and malt flavoured drink)

Sleep
Colombo's cheap accommodations in the centre of town apart from the famous YMCA (containing a gay bathhouse) are mostly concentrated along the road opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Many rooms are available but with shared bathrooms. These, however, tend to be dirty and dingy affairs that even seasoned travellers are unlikely to tolerate.

Moving south along Galle Rd, one can find a lot of more reasonable housing. Around Kollupitiya, you will still be dealing with air-conditioned concrete boxes where a sleazy clerk will tell you that they have a "budget single room for only 57 dollars". Further down south, prices and people will get more reasonable. There are quite a few small hotels in the side streets off Galle Rd. in Wellawatte area. If you continue south and get as far as Mount Lavinia, there will be hundreds of small guesthouses, some of them very affordable, in a quiet old-fashioned area with a lot of greenery and right by the sea (the only problem being that it's far from the centre). As of May 2014, typical costs were Rs 1,000-2,000, depending on the room quality. Buses 100, 101 and others go down Galle Rd. from Colombo Fort station (Rs 20 to get to Wellawatte).

Splurge

Stay safe
Colombo is like most other South Asian capitals. Although it is not as dangerous as one would think, tourists should be very vigilant. Many first time visitors to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts; however, seasoned visitors to Sri Lanka are rarely scammed and it is very simple to avoid being a victim of scammers as long as you take precautions such as:

 * Being on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Take any advice from taxi and auto drivers with a grain of salt, especially if they tell you the place you want to go to is closed, dangerous, or non-existent. If you are unsure, check a map.
 * Not engaging in business with people who have to actively approach you for business such as Tuk Tuk drivers, street vendors, etc. If people have to approach or make overtures to you for business without you seeking them on your own volition, then they shouldn't be considered for business dealings. Because, you will likely be overcharged, as you have been denied the option of shopping around for the best price.
 * If you have been told your hotel is closed or full, give them a call. If you are a first time visitor to Sri Lanka, don't admit it as it will make you a target for the scam artists.

Once you are past the scammers, Colombo is a far more welcoming destination than other South Asian cities. Certainly single women, although not advised to explore every nook and cranny of the city on their own late at night, will not find the pestering attentions of leering men. Sri Lankan women are also very "western" in their dress sense, so it is very normal to wear skirts, tank tops, etc. You may get a few whistles and hellos from bored school boys, but they are more friendly and not meant to be threatening, so just ignore it and they will leave you alone.

The civil war that once raged is now long over, with much development occurring since. The country is now generally free from terrorism, though in April 2019, an Islamist terrorist bomb attack against churches and hotels in Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka killed 259 people and wounded more than 500.

Respect

 * Seemingly innocuous public displays of affection between lovers such as kissing and/or hugging are not culturally acceptable in Sri Lanka as it is considered to be secluded behaviour (this does not apply to private functions or establishments designated for adults such as nightclubs, casinos and beach parties). Much lenience is given to foreigners and holding hands and public affection between parents and their children is not frowned upon.
 * In most buses, it is local etiquette to provide or give up the very front passenger seats to members of the clergy, such as monks or priests if they are present.
 * Do not turn your back to (or be alongside) a Buddha statue when within a reasonable distance (observe what others are doing). This includes posing for photos. It's OK to photograph a statue, but all persons should be facing it.
 * Public nudity is illegal in Sri Lanka. Nude/topless sunbathing and skinny dipping should be avoided at beaches, except in the few private beach resorts which allow it.

Embassies and High Commissions

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇹 Italy
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * 🇲🇻 Maldives
 * 🇳🇵 Nepal
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇳🇴 Norway
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Connect

SIM cards for unlocked phones may be purchased upon arrival at the international airport.

Mobile data
Mobile data is a simple way of connecting when traveling in Sri Lanka. The internet is supplied through Data cards (this is the local interpretation of the item) . They are simple, small-sized scratch coupons available in almost every store in the city. A data card is priced according to variations of the package and the company manufacturing it. A few trustable companies are Dialog, Mobitel, Hutch and Airtel.

In a normal coupon, usage details are normally applied in the back, along with a hidden serial number which can be accessed by scratching off the top layer with a coin (Quite similar to a scratch lottery). You have to dial the given ussd code and proceed with the instructions given in the back of the card. If you are not so sure about trusting local stores (scammers are present in most of them), you can easily request a card from the hotel reception (depends on the hotel quality, a low budget hotel might not serve willingly.) or visit the company headquarters (most of them are located in Colombo).

WiFi
WiFi can be accessed easily in the city. Travelers can either log into free public WiFi which is usually available in parks, cafes and shopping malls, or they can log onto the hotel WiFi by requesting the password from the reception. Most hotels provide free WiFi. Public WiFi is usually slow and laggy due to high usage, WiFi in hotel lobbies are the same, however, WiFi provided in hotel rooms works well.

Go next

 * Delhousie— town at the foot of Adam's Peak which is considered a place of worship and pilgrimage by many religions. The 2,224-m peak, also known as Sri Pada, is home to a foot imprint on a rock at its summit. Depending on the faith, the footprint has been considered that of Buddha, the god Shiva, St Thomas, and even Adam, after he was expelled from the garden of Eden. The stairway to the top is believed to be one of the longest in the world. After reaching the top, climbers can ring the bell to mark the journey they just made. The panoramic view makes the journey well worth the effort. Reaching Delhousie from Colombo can be an adventure in itself, unless you are lucky enough to find a direct bus. The route is Colombo-Hatton-Maskeliya-Delhousie. The distance is quite short on the map but can take 6–8 hours.
 * Kandy, 120 km (less than 4 hours away) outside of Colombo. Kandy is a small, tranquil town that holds the sacred tooth of Buddha, a sacred relic of the Buddhist faith. According to the legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha on his funeral pyre and was smuggled into Sri Lanka hidden in the hair of a princess in the 4th century. The Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, is a main attraction for pilgrimages. Each July and August, the tooth is carried in a procession. Although one cannot see the tooth, the festivities are a sight to see.
 * Sigiriya, 160 km northeast of Colombo, is a very important Buddhist site in Sri Lanka. The remains of the ancient fortress and city date back to 477 AD. Legend has it, King Kasyapa built it in order to protect against attacks from his brother, whom he had stolen the throne from. The only way into the city is through the giant lion's jaws. The site is also famous for its 5th-century frescos. Sigiriya is approximately 2–3 hours away from Colombo, and can be reached via train, bus, or car. It is open daily from 8:30AM to 6PM. For foreign nationals the entrance fee is Rs 2,000.
 * Negombo, beach town just north of the airport, also famous for its canals and fish market. It used to be a backpacker haven, though it's more and more becoming a resort with new expensive hotels being built. 1-1½ hr by bus from Colombo.

title: Colombo


text:
Colon

There's more than one place called Colon or Colón, most of them named in honour of Christopher Columbus:

Argentina

 * Colon (Argentina) (Colón) - a city in Entre Rios, in Mesopotamia (Argentina)

Costa Rica

 * Colón (Costa Rica)

Honduras

 * Colon (department)

Panama

 * Colon (Panama) (Colón) - a city
 * Colon (province) (Colón) - a province

United States of America

 * Colon (Nebraska) - a village in Saunders County, in the Metro Omaha region of Nebraska
 * Colon (Michigan) - a township and a village within that township, in St. Joseph County, West Michigan

Venezuela

 * Colón (Venezuela) - a town

title: Colon


text:
Colon (Argentina)

Colón is a nice and quiet city in Entre Ríos in Argentina.

Understand
Colón is in the eastern part of Entre Rios province, 324 km from Buenos Aires, on the western coast of the Uruguay River. It was founded in 1863 by Justo José de Urquiza, the first constitutional president of Argentina.

The weather is changeable according to the season, but it has warm springs and hot summers.

Get in
You can get there by bus or by car on national route No 14 and then route 135.

See
There are a lot of places to see and go in Colón. You can see several artisan centres, especially in Quirós Park. It´s a balcony to see the coastal landscape. On the Colón-San José road is the Molino de Forclas. It´s a historical relic. There is an important and beautiful square, Plaza San Martin, near 12 de Abril Street in the commercial city centre. Also you can visit the Palacio San Jose, former country residence of Gral Urquiza and now a national monument. There are museums too.

Do
There is a good thermal water complex and nice beaches on the banks of Uruguay River to enjoy. If you like fishing you might go to the port or go to ”Balneario Norte” where you can do spinning, trolling, fly cast etc. Also there is a Golf Club.

Buy
For a present you can buy from several artisans knittings, ornaments of precious stones and a lot of wood objects. Also the typical “mates and bombillas.”

Eat
There is an excellent icecream parlor called "Heladería Bahillo", at the corner of 12 de Abril and Andrade. You can have an ice cream for as low as ARS 2.

The speciality food is the "alfajor entrerriano" also a dessert with nut and honey, cheeses, salamis, Italian pasta and Swiss chocolate. To drink there is the traditional beer and wine.

Sleep
In Colón there are a lot of kinds of accommodation: cabins, hotels, camping sites and houses to rent.

Cope
You can take a bath in the River Uruguay.

Go next

 * From here you can visit the Palacio San José, an impressive palace in the middle of nowhere which belonged to Justo José de Urquiza, an Argentinian caudillo.
 * Also you must visit El Palmar, a breathtaking National Park practically covered with the Yatay, a palm variety. There's a camping where you can stay.
 * Cross the General Artigas Bridge just south of Colón to enter Paysandú, one of the most important Uruguayan cities.
 * 15 km from Colón you can go to San Jose, a little town near Uruguay River, with a thermal water complex.

title: Colon (Argentina)


text:
Colon (Panama)

Colón is a city in Central Panama. It's the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. The town is in poor condition and notorious for its high crime rate, but it is worth driving around to look at the culture, people and architecture.

Understand
Colon owes its existence to the Panama Railroad which opened in 1855 as the first rail link from Atlantic to Pacific, making travel from the East Coast of the Americas to the West Coast a lot easier. It has been the Atlantic endpoint of the Panama Canal since its opening and initially profited heavily from both transport links. However, the switch to container freight greatly reduced the demand for labor in Colon harbor and the town entered a decline from the 1960s onward. In 2014 the Panamanian government started a rehabilitation and rebuilding effort aimed at revitalizing Colon and combating its negative reputation.

By train
The Panama Canal Railroad connects Colón with Panama City and the ride along the canal is very beautiful.

By ship
Colón is also a stop for many cruise ships as it represents one end of the Panama Canal.

See

 * Parks and statues, most are by the shore area. The most notable is the one you see coming into Colón on Central Ave.
 * Christ Church by the Sea

Buy
There is a well stocked and cared for REY supermarket at Avenida Central, corner Calle 7 in the city center. You can park your car there as well. It's a good starting point for exploring the city centre.

Eat
Seafood soup $4, was a great treat with three or four different types of fish in a tasty tomato base. Have with rice and fried plantains with salsa. If you're not into seafood try the roasted chicken with rice or potatoes $1.65.

Sleep

Stay safe
Colon is considered a dangerous city. If you want to visit the city center you should stick to the REY super market at the Avenida Central, corner Calle 7 and the Washington Hotel. Those places aren't more dangerous than other places in Panama. Avoid the city centre at night.

Consulates

 * 🇬🇷 Greece

title: Colon (Panama)


text:
Colonet

At Colonet the main highway from Ensenada finally hits the ocean. From here to El Rosario, the beaches stretch for miles.

Understand
Mexican officials are eyeing Punta Colonet, about 80 miles south of Ensenada, as a major container port. While the plan would take years to fully develop, requiring significant public and private investment, its construction would have serious implications on the Port of L.A., according to the report.

The sprawling Baja California beach has the potential to become a major player in maritime trade, with 3,000 acres of backland off the beach and another 8,000 acres on an adjacent mesa, plus the all-important deep waters able to handle next-generation vessels.

title: Colonet