World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
All travel to Choco, Putumayo, Meta, Narino, Caqueta and Norte de Santander departments, and to the rural areas of Arauca, Sucre, Bolivar, Antioquia and Cauca departments, is strongly advised against. There is a high risk to personal safety in these areas. The threat from terrorism, especially Colombian domestic groups, is high. Visitors are urged to be extremely vigilant, particularly in public places used by foreigners, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping malls - or avoid them all together. There is a serious risk of kidnapping and crime. All travellers intending to visit Magdalena, Cesar, La Guajira, Atlantico, Santander, Norte de Santander and Amazona areas, should possess yellow fever inoculations and carry vaccination certificates. Colombian Immigration officials may insist upon seeing such proof.

Air
Colombia’s national airline is Avianca (AV) (website: www.avianca.com.co). Avianca and British Airways each operate flights, Monday to Saturday, to Bogot. During the summer season, British Airways only operate flights Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Other airlines flying to Colombia include Air France, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Iberia but, as with Avianca, some may not fly directly there but with other airlines as part of a Code Share agreement.

Approximate flight times
From London to Bogot is 11 hours 45 minutes, from Los Angeles is 10 hours 30 minutes, from New York is six hours 30 minutes, and from Sydney is 29 hours.

International airports
Bogot (El Dorado) (BOG) is situated 12km (8 miles) east of the city. Buses to the city depart every 20 minutes from 0600-2200 (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available (travel time - 30 to 40 minutes). Airport facilities include bank, duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, tourist information and car hire (Auto Renta, Avis and Hertz).
Barranquilla (Ernesto Cortissoz) (BAQ) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Car hire is available.
Cali (Palmaseca) (CLO) is 19km (10 miles) from the city.
Cartagena (Crespo) (CTG) is 2km (1 mile) from the city.

Departure tax
Either collected upon ticket issuance or levied upon embarkation. Transit passengers continuing their journey on the same day are exempt. US$19 or possibly more - payable by cash only.

The Visit South America Pass
This must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), IBERIA (IB), LAN-Chile (LA) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. Children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay 10 per cent of the adult fare. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.

Note
All air tickets purchased in Colombia for destinations outside the country are liable to a total tax of 15 per cent on one-way tickets and 7.5 per cent on return tickets.

Sea
Major ports on the Caribbean coast include Cartagena, Baranquilla, Santa Marta and Turbo. Buenaventura is the main port on the Pacific coast. Many ships and cruise lines visit these ports from the USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean Islands.

Rail
There are no international rail connections.

Road
Colombia can be reached from Panama via the Darien Gap, but the route is not advised as it can be long, arduous and dangerous. Vehicles can also be freighted from Panama to one of Colombia’s Caribbean or Pacific ports. There are also road links with Ecuador and Venezuela, although travellers should check with the local embassy about safety of roads before crossing the border to Venezuela. Coach/bus: TEPSA buses connect with Venezuela. Coaches are comfortable and services good. There are second-class buses from Maracaibo to Santa Marta and Cartagena, but this method of travelling can be uncomfortable.