Colombia

1. TIME ZONE

The standard time in Colombia is UTC-5. Unlike other countries, Ecuador does not use summertime.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR COLOMBIA

No tourist visa is required: Entry to Colombia is basically free, and residents of most countries in America and Western Europe do not require a tourist visa to enter. The travelers can travel for a maximum of approximately 90 days.

Visa requirements:  Afganistán, Cuba, Haiti, India  and Nicaragua among others. To review the complete list click on this link:   https://bit.ly/3nYcjiM

Documents required to travel to Colombia are:

• Passport with a minimum validity of six months after the expected date of arrival to Colombia.
• Citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay may enter with their national identity card or passport.

3-COVID19

Borders:

• Colombia is open to all vaccinated passengers.

Entry requirements for Colombia

• Colombia is open to fully or partially vaccinated passengers.
• Unvaccinated passengers are not allowed to enter.
• Passengers considered partially vaccinated (1st dose) must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel date.

Time window:

2 weeks (14 days) after an accepted single dose vaccination.

2 weeks (14 days) after the second dose of an accepted 2-dose series.

• The vaccination certificate must be submitted on paper, through the MiVacuna website, or in the MinSalud digital mobile application. It must indicate the identification of the holder, at least the first and last name, type and number of identification, date of vaccination, name of the vaccine administered or vaccine manufacturer and number of doses administered.
• All passengers, vaccinated and unvaccinated, must fill out a Travel Form (Check-Mig) which can be found here within 24 hours and no later than 1 hour before a flight to or from Colombia. 

4. WEATHER

Colombia’s climate is quite uniform and has two distinct seasons, the dry season (December to January and July to August) and the rainy season (April to May and October to November). The climates of Colombia are:

Warm climate: Where the temperature exceeds 24°C, in destinations such as Cartagena, San Andres, and Barranquilla.

Temperate climate: Where the temperature varies between 17°C and 24°C, in destinations such as Medellin and Cali.

Cold Climate: Where the temperature varies between 12°C and 17°C, as in the case of Bogota.

Highlands: Where the temperature varies between 6°C and 12°C, as in the Chingaza National Park.

Glacial Zones: Temperatures below 6°C as in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

5. ELECTRICITY

• The electricity supply in Colombia  is 110 volts and its frequency is 60 hertz.

6. EXONERATION FROM GENERAL SALES TAX

• Foreign tourists legally residing outside the country will be exempted from paying the IGV for contracted services which are equivalent to 18% in case of staying less than 60 days in the country (or if they do not exceed 90 days per year). 
• To be exonerated you must present your passport or identification card as well as the Migration Card with the stamp corresponding to your day of entry to the country when you check-in at the hotel.

7. CURRENCY
–  Currency: The Peso Colombiano ($) is the official currency of Colombia.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Many (but not all) banks exchange money; in the main cities and border regions there are usually several exchange offices. It is not advisable to exchange currency on the street.

8. TIPPING

• In Colombia, tipping is not mandatory and will depend on how satisfied you are with the service received. The amount to leave may vary according to the circumstances.
• In restaurants it is customary to leave 10%.