Before You Go

Fact

By Lorena Fernández

It is good to be prepared before leaving. Colombia can be a tumultuous country, therefore it is recommendable to check news updates on political and guerrilla situations and make sure the areas you are visiting are safe. Pack a small first aid kit with any medicine you take on a regular basis, plus some anti-diarrheal pills, aspirin, insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of these items are available in cities all around Colombia, however if you prefer or require a certain type or brand – hypoallergenic, for example – it is best to bring it from home than to risk not finding what you want.

Insurance

Call your health insurance before you leave so you know what your coverage is like in other countries, and make sure to bring a copy of your insurance card. Insurance companies recommend taking written records of any medical conditions and their proper names of any medication you are taking.

Getting To and Away

Entering Colombia is not a difficult transition. A valid passport – for some a visa – and a return ticket to wherever you came from will be enough to get you inside. To ensure your departure is as trouble-free as the entry, keep the custom form you’ll be given when you come in with your passport, it will save you some money on the departure fee.

By Plane

The only international Colombian airline is Avianca, which is also the biggest operator for domestic flights. Other airlines, however, like British Airways, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Mexicana de Aviación and Aerolienas Argentinas frequently go to Colombia. Main airports include El Dorado in Bogotá, Rafael Núñez in Cartagena, José María Córdova in Medellín, Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali and Ernesto Cortissoz in Barranquilla. Traveling inside of Colombia by plane is a comfortable and safe way to arriving at all your destinations, though you could be sacrificing landscape views.

Departure Tax

Before you can begin your return home you must pay an airport tax fee of US$30 – international flights – if you visited for 60 days or less. If you stayed longer you must pay $50, which you may cancel in dollars or pesos, but not by credit card.