r/Colombia • u/doray Bogotá • Sep 01 '16
FAQ FAQ Turista / Tourist FAQ
Bienvenido a /r/Colombia!
Este post contiene toda la información necesaria para que planee su viaje a cualquier parte del país, esperamos que le sea útil.
Formato de información:
Para todos aquellos que deseen contribuir, respondan como comentario a cada nombre de ciudad o zona, la idea es que la información esté tanto en Español como en Inglés, pero si no pueden traducir bien me avisan y traduzco los comentarios. Los datos necesarios son los siguientes
- Seguridad
- Sitios Turísticos (incluyendo advertir sobre sobrecostos para turistas)
- Comida típica
- Sitios Culturales
- Lugares aledaños
- Métodos de transporte
- Discotecas
- Restaurantes
- Centros comerciales
- Planes y paseos
Mil gracias a todos los que ayuden, incluyan por favor la mayor cantidad de información que tengan, sean honestos al advertir sobre seguridad y costos.
Welcome to /r/Colombia
This post has all the information you need to plan your trip to anywhere in the country, we hope it proves useful.
Info format
For all of you who'd like to help, please answer as to each City or zone comment, the idea is to have all the info in Spanish and English, but if you're not confident with translating, just message me and I'll translate the comments. The following data is required for the FAQ:
- Safety
- Touristic Places (include any touristic fee and scams you might know)
- Local food
- Cultural sites
- Near places
- Transportation
- Clubs / Bars
- Restaurants
- Shopping Malls
- Field trips and nice plans to do
Thanks to everyone for your help, please include all information you might know about, be honest about safety and scam warnings.
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Cartagena
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u/TriggerinTina Sep 26 '16
There will be lots of people trying to "help" you find your way around, once you ask a question, most often they just accompany you and act as a tour guide and expect a propina (tip) for their services.
Basic fare starts at 6,000 COP (the minimum) but should get you around most places. Expect to pay 10,000 -18,000 COP to get from the airport to Gestimane or El Laguito in Boca Grande.
At almost any of the beaches, there will be lots of touts or vendors constantly asking you to buy goods or services. The massage ladies are particularly aggressive. Instead of the instinctive, "No gracias", us a simple, "Gracias", with a hand wave. The waving action should resemble a lazy attempt to swat a fly away from your face. That is, palm down, flat and level with ground, with a bit of a swooping upwards towards your face. Adding "No", is seen as a very strong and rude way of saying no thank you.
If you are in Colombia, you should try Cazuela
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u/RCam72 USA Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
Money & Exchange Rates
The currency is the Colombian peso (COP).
The Colombian Central Bank has the daily market exchange rate in US dollars.
Here are the top 5 Google results for global currency exchange rates:
Or type in Google : amount in your currency to COP.
There is a commission involved in the currency conversion so you will get less than the exchange rate.
If you use credit or debit cards your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee.
I usually bring enough cash to cover the cost of a cab from the airport and convert it to pesos at the airport in Colombia. I withdraw cash from ATMs during the rest of my trip.
Any cash amount greater than $10000 USD has to be declared and of legal origin.
Edit : Added link to Central Bank provided by u/doray
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u/Truand Bogotá Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
One more thing:
In Colombia it is illegal to pay with foreign currency for any goods or services (most people don't know this).
In spite of that some places like BBC sometimes accept (illegally) dollars but they will give you a horrible exchange rate so if it is possible pay for your stuff with card or pesos.
Edit: and please also note that the exchange rate of exchange houses is almost always worse than using a card so don't expect to see the official exchange rate at money gram or western union, expect a more expensive rate.
Also if you plan to bring cash aim for either dollars or euros, other currencies are harder to exchange and have horrible exchange rates.
If you really need to exchange something other than dollars or euros in Bogotá you can try either the airport or Hacienda Santa Barbara mall (and maybe Unicentro too).
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 02 '16
You're right for the most part, however there are some things that you might want to consider when exchanging money:
This is the absolute website to check for currency rates:
https://www.banrep.gov.co/es/tasas-de-cambio
You might think that the airport is the safest place to exchange currency, but it is also one of the most expensive ones. Each city has its own currency changing houses, and most of them have better rates than the airport ones.
Try not to go alone to the currency exchange places, and always ask for the price of buying and selling the currency you want to exchange. You might wanna go to a shopping mall and ask in various places before doing the actual exchange, so you get a better deal.
Hotels also do currency exchange, but their rates are also pretty expensive.
In Bogotá, you can go to Hacienda Santa Bárbara, a shopping mall which has a lot of exchange places, or near Unicentro, another shopping mall, which also has great variety of currency exchange places.
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u/RCam72 USA Sep 02 '16
I added the central bank link to the post. I could not find a currency calculator though, only the Market Exchange Rate, which is US dollars only.
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u/Truand Bogotá Sep 02 '16
Santander
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u/Southofsouth Bucaramanga Sep 19 '16
Santander is in between Bogota and the Caribbean if you are driving, so it is a must. it's a roughly 8 hour drive to the capital city, around USD20-25 for the bus ticket .
CHICAMOCHA CANYON it is really nice. it is also the flagship natural beauty of the state. ask the bus driver to stop somewhere to take pictures or plan your day and spend some time in PANACHI. it is a bit overpriced but the view is stunning. there is an aquapark too, which is not great but has a cool lazy river. if you take the cablecar, get off at Mesa de Los Santos and catch a bus to bucaramanga. it's only a couple dollars and takes roughly 1.5 hours
BARICHARA if you only have one day, go to barichara. it is an old town, full of history and nice architecture. lots of nice museums and arts. it is a great place to explore and chill. there are backpacker's as well as nice hotels and airBNB places. if you have more time do the trek to Guane, it's only a couple hours each way.
recommended restaurant: El Compa recommended housing: zuasinca recommended activity: do a guided tour in one of the little tricycle cabs. go to El Salto del Mico and El Mirador for great views
BUCARAMANGA there is not much to see. it is only an intermediate city. ideally, go out and get wasted until the bars close. then just sit on a sidewalk and chill. do some paragliding in ruitoque if you have time and can afford it. avoid "El Santisimo" it is a rip off. if you have enough money, have a drink at sunsent in the Holiday Inn terrace next to Cacique Mall
SAN GIL it is midway between Bogota and Bucaramanga. it is also really close to barichara. if you like rafting and caves, San Gil is the place to go.
BERLIN/SANTURBAN Santander has a lot of mountains. some of them are pretty high, with nice cold temperatures and differente plants. it is a cold and pretty region, but similar to what you would find in Cundinamarca/Boyaca. it is closer to Cucuta and on the way to Venezuela, so if that is your route, definitely worth it
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Bogotá
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
Seguridad: Bogotá es una ciudad muy grande, algunos de los puntos turísticos pueden llegar a ser peligrosos por lo cual es bueno seguir las siguientes recomendaciones:
- No dar papaya: no muestre su celular ni objetos de valor en la calle, esté siempre pendiente de sus alrededores,
- Pida taxi o uber desde aplicaciones de celular, absténgase de cogerlo en la calle (además porque a veces hacen cobros injustos)
- Tenga cuidado con la comida callejera, muchas personas no tienen sus estómagos acostumbrados y pueden tener problemas de intoxicación
- Compre trago estampillado y/o exija ver la estampilla del mismo en la discoteca, restaurante o bar en donde lo solicite.
- No camine solo en horas de la noche en sitios turísticos
Sitios Turísticos
Bogotá es una ciudad llena de Iglesias y lugares de la colonia española, los siguientes son los sitios preferidos de los turistas para ir a ver:
La Candelaria / Chorro de Quevedo: primer barrio construído en Bogotá, generalmente los turistas van a ver las casas y a los sitios de rumba de los hostales, también tiene una plaza llamada Chorro de Quevedo llena de restaurantes y bares. La seguridad de la zona es generalmente buena, sin embargo no sobra estar pendiente de cualquier cosa, puede que a veces se torne un poco peligroso. lugares cercanos Plaza Simón Bolivar, Palacio de Justicia, Casa del Florero, Teatro Colón, varias universidades. Transporte: Transmilenio (estación Las Aguas o Universidades), Taxi, Bus.
Monserrate: el cerro más alto de Bogotá, se puede subir en Funicular, Teleférico o caminando, en su punta se encuetrar el santuario de Monserrate (Iglesia), mercado de las pulgas, varias bebidas calientes (canelazo, una bebida típica con base en agua de panela y aguardiente), y un restaurante. En el restaurante es recomendable pedir el menú típico santafereño, que se compone de chocolate, queso y tamal. lugares cercanos: La candelaria, varias universidades. Transporte: Transmilenio (estación Universidades o Las Aguas), Taxi.
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u/atropicalpenguin Bogotá Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
Lo que puede ser feo en el centro (Museo Del Oro, Chorro de Quevedo) es que algunas personas piden plata y no ve van hasta que les dan. Por eso es mejor o estar con un grupo grande o caminar con las personas que van a sus trabajos y eso, como para no sentirse tan intimidado (al menos eso me sirve a mi). Por cierto, si alguien te ofrece lustrarte los zapatos, SIGUE CAMINANDO, es una estafa.
Identificar a los gardias de seguridad (en general con chalecos verdes y perros) o la policía también ayuda a sentirse más cómodo.
Sobre trago, comprar en almacenes reconocidos (Carulla, Éxito, Olímpica, etc.) es lo mejor. Los bares de la 85 igual, por la zona tienen que ser de alta calidad. (EDIT: No que otros bares en otras zonas no vendan alcohol legitimo, en mi experiencia los cercanos al Museo Del Oro son seguros, solo hay que ser cuidadoso, romper tapas y etoquetas).
EDIT: I'll translate it later but, long story short, downtown you should walk along other people, identify security and cops, keep walking if someone offers to clean your shoes and big supermarkets are completely safe to buy alcohol.
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u/Truand Bogotá Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
Planes
Desde Bogota en general recomiendo visitar destinos naturales como el parque nacional de chingaza o el parque chicaque. Subir a monserrate es casi obligatorio pero cuidado con la altura, si sube a pie hagalo con calma.
Ir a bailar o comer en Andres DC es un buen plan si el presupuesto alcanza (es un poco caro). Para conseguir souvenirs y artesanias Usaquen es el sitio adecuado.
Los museos mas interesantes son el nacional, el del oro y el del banco de la republica (aka donacion botero) los museos aca son pequeños y la mayoria son gratis el ultimo domingo de cada mes.
Si el dia es domingo hay que conseguir una bicicleta y salir a la ciclovia en la mañana (funciona como de 6 o 7 am hasta las 2 pm).
No olvide probar: caldo de costilla, tamal o calentado al desayuno (uno a la vez en los desayunaderos del centro consigue), ajiaco o corrientazo (si quiere lo que comen todos) al almuerzo y chocolate con pan y queso en la noche.
Long Term Staying
Transmilenio ticket is worth 2.000 pesos currently, corrientazo (standard lunch for workers near offices) can be found between 7.000 and 9.000 pesos more or less. You could rent a student room near a university if you are willing to sacrifice comfort and share with other people for around 500.000+ (not counting utilities) but an apartment will be 2x or 3x that depending on what are you looking for.
you can check prices of groceries and household stuff at www.exito.com and as for utilities expenses for 2 ppl I estimate 150.000 for 2 people for water, electricity and gas. As for internet, tv and telephone go check Claro, Telefonica, ETB or other provider for rates.
Add in some 20-30k monthly for cellphone and I guess you are set to go if you can put all of that in excel and make the calculations.
As for a job, English teacher is probably the best to begin. Few companies will hire you for low end jobs if you don't speak fluent Spanish, if you have a degree or skill try to find something on that field when you arrive... Or better yet: Get a telecommuted job while you are on your country and come and work from here. You will be a bloody millionaire!
In regards of visa check our sidebar.
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Tunja / Boyacá
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u/Thats_DrSpaceJunk_2U Bogotá Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 09 '16
Sitios Turísticos
Puente de Boyaca (y monumentos aledaños): Aunque se denomina Puente de Boyaca este lugar tiene varios monumentos incluyendo: el monumento de Von Miller, la estatua de Francisco de Paula Santander, el Arco del Triunfo, la plaza de las banderas, el fuego eterno y la capilla.
Monumento a Lanceros en el Pantano de Vargas: Es una monumento/escultura de gran tamaño, que honra a los lanceros y su lider el Coronel Juan Jose Rondon durante la batalla del Pantano de Vargas contra fuerzas españolas. El acceso no tiene ningún costo y se se puede parquear en la plaza principal.
Laguna de Tota: La laguna se encuentra al lado de Aquitania, Tota, Iza, y Cuitiva. Es uno de los lagos mas grandes de Colombia. Es famoso por parecer casi un espejo. Este lago es muy importante en la cultura Muisca, el grupo indigena mas grande que existio en el altiplano Qundiboyasence (hay mucha información sobre esta cultura en el Museo del Oro en Bogota). Uno de los restaurantes y hotel mas tradicionales es Pozo Azul donde se puede disfrutar de la trucha que se pesca en el lago. Es posible acampar y tomar tures del lago en lancha. Playa Blanca, como su nombre lo dice es una playa de arena muy blanca. En teste lugar también se puede encontrar servicios de lanchas, motos acuáticas, etc.
Raquira: Esta ciudad se destaca por sus artesanías hechas en barro. La plaza central esta decorada con estatuas de las figuras de barro mas tradicionales. La mayoría de las tiendas alrededor de la plaza venden estas figuras y muchas otras mas. La iglesia en la plaza principal se puede visitar.
Tibasosa: Este pueblo tiene una de las plazas centrales mas bonitas de Boyaca. Tibabosa tiene muchos productos de Feijoa. Una fruta que crece en las tierras 'frias' de Colombia. Muchos de los postres tradicionales de Boyaca y Cundinamarca se pueden encontrar aqui pero con la feijoa: Arequipe de feijoa, Merengon con feijoa, etc. Este pueblo tiene mucha de la arquitectura colonial a los alrededores de la plaza. Cerca a la plaza tambien se pueden ver varios murales que muestran la vida cotidiana de los habitantes de Tibasosa.
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Amazonas
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u/Truand Bogotá Sep 02 '16
if you go to the amazonas don´t waste your time in Leticia, take a boat as soon as you arrive there and go to Puerto Nariño.
You will find there cheaper accommodation and local guides without middlemen. My gf went there this year and her group found a local indigenous hunter to guide them into the jungle, great experience in her opinion.
Also be careful wherever you go, the weather forecast service predicts a 40% chance of fenomeno de la niña on the second half of this year and Colombia can get really really rainy so take care if you go near rivers or muddy mountains.
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u/Jungletrekker Sep 05 '16
Safety Leticia is incredibly safe, no need to worry about getting robbed, just don't leave your stuff around. Tabatinga, which is the Brazilian city connected to Leticia, on the other hand is not so safe especially at night. Besides going over for lunch or a photo at the border you might as well stay clear.
Food Best places to eat are: Santo Angel, Waira hotel, Cielo, Sao Jorge (in Tabatinga) and Villa Palma (great burgers)
Sights Not much to see in Leticia that is worth while. The market in the morning can be interesting, giving you a glimpse of some of the fish that can be found in the river. However visiting Santander park between 5pm and 6:30pm is a must. During this time thousands of canary winged parakeets descend to roost for the night and during certain times of the year they will compete with purple martins (a kind of swallow) for space. It can be quite the spectacle.
Tours A number of companies exist offering similar tours. Please avoid tours which include Puerto Alegria, which is a community that captures wild animals to display and be handled by tourists.
Arrival Three airlines currently service Leticia: Lan, Avianca and Vivia Colombia. Before you leave the airport there is a 22 000 COP tourist tax you will have to pay.
Lodging There are a few decent hotels. Among the better ones are the Amazon B&B, the Waira and the Decameron. If you are looking for a hostel you can't get much better than Leticia's Guest house.
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Eje Cafetero
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u/glhermine Sep 02 '16 edited Sep 02 '16
Manizales
Safety: Manizales is a safe city for people who use their common sense and keep basic safety recommendations in mind. Walking around most neighbourhoods of the city at daytime is safe. At night, the historic centro (centro histórico) is fairly empty and it's not generally recommended to walk around there at night although that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be unsafe if you do. Wealthy El Cable district, around Cable Plaza shopping centre and along Avenida Santander, is safe at night and has a heavy police presence. The main avenue in Chipre is pretty active at night so it is fairly safe, although side streets are quiet. It is not problematic to hail taxis directly on the street. Tourist attractions/cultural attractions: Manizales is a city founded by colonists from Antioquia in the mid-nineteenth century, and as such it lacks Spanish colonial architecture, which is replaced by 'republican architecture' in the city's historic centre. Besides a few landmarks, Manizales' main attraction is its beautiful natural setting.
Cathedral: The Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manizales is the tallest cathedral in Colombia and the third tallest in South America, at a maximal height of 113m. Work the current structure began in 1928 and was completed in 1936. It has a neo-Gothic architecture. Its most interesting aspect is its spire and the 'corredor polaco' leading thereto, which can be visited in a guided tour (cost: $10,000). The lookout atop the spire offers a great panoramic view of the city and surroundings, and transiting through the corredor polaco is a thrilling (but safe) experience.
Plaza de Bolívar: Main square in the historic centre, with the Cathedral, the Gobernación de Caldas (local government buildings, republican architecture) and the statue of Condor Bolívar (worth seeing). Carrera 23, the avenue behind the Cathedral, is always packed during the day and has a lot of local stores and restaurants. It leads to Parque Caldas and Parque Caldas shopping centre on one end to Parque Olaya Herrera at the other end (it has new water fountains, illuminated at night, and a Juan Valdez café making it a popular hangout spot, especially at night).
Chipre: The highest elevation in the main urban area, overlooking rural valleys and mountains to the west of Manizales. A very popular spot for locals, especially on weekends, for walks, street food and kite flying. Chipre has two main attractions: the Monument to Colonizers, a striking monument to the city's founding settlers, and the Torre de Chipre, which has a restaurant, a panoramic observation deck (including exterior skywalk) and various activities. Manizales is famous for its sunsets, and they're best observed from Chipre. On a clear day, which are rare, it is possible to see the Nevado del Ruiz volcano from Chipre (but also from most places in the city).
El Cable: The city's wealthy 'zona rosa' with the nightlife. Located along Avenida Santander (Carrera 23) at the level of Calles 62-65, centred around the Torre del Cable, an impressive wooden tower which used to be the terminus for a cableway which ran about 72km to Mariquita (Tolima) transporting coffee 1922-1967. The biggest Juan Valdez Café is located next to the tower; Cable Plaza shopping centre+cinema is located across the street. All major bars and nightclubs are in the general vicinity.
Bosque Popular: large public park located on the outskirts of town leading to La Enea/La Nubia airport (basically going straight down Carrera 23 after Cable). Free access (except for the pools, I think) with cafeteria, public pools, tennis/basketball courts and lots of open air spaces.
Local food: Very similar to food found in Antioquia/Medellín because of the close cultural ties between the two regions, so mostly meat-based food, the typical bandeja paisa, arepas etc. The local aguardiente is Cristal, the local rum is Ron Viejo de Caldas.
Nearby places Transportation Clubs/Bars
Restaurants: Fancier and more expensive restaurants are mostly found in Cable and other adjacent wealthy districts.
Shopping Malls Field trips and nice plans to do
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Jan 06 '17
Sierra Nevada !
My friend and I are looking to visit Cartagena, Ciudad Perdida, Santa Marta and eventually hike up to Sierra Nevada. Fly in & out from Bogota.
Any advice?
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u/dynakore Jan 27 '17
ANYONE BEEN TO COLUMBIA AS FIRST VISIT>? IS IT SAFE??
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Feb 18 '17
It's not safe if you call it ColUmbia instead of Colombia ;)
I kid I kid lol.
Like any country it depends where you go, touristy areas are safe, Boyaca is one of the safest regions you could go to, you can happily wonder the countryside without worry and only a few places are actually dodgy.
Go to Medellin or Bogotá on the other hand and you'd be advices to avoid certain neighbourhoods. Dont fall for the mistake most tourists make and assume people won't take advantage, don't give papaya (be streetwise) and you'll be fine almost anywhere.
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u/doray Bogotá Sep 01 '16
Medellín