General FAQ

Is safe to travel to Colombia ?
Of course! The country has come a long way, regarding security. Since the signing of the historic peace deal, the security situation has improved a lot. A lot of places that before were no-go areas are now frequented with international tourists. In big cities, like Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and Cali you have to be careful and use common sense, as you would in any other big city in the world. The current peace process and the tourism figures that increase year by year attest to a remarkable improvement.

Do we need a Visa to Visit Colombia from the USA ?
There are some countries that require a visa to enter Colombia, most of which are Asian and African countries. USA: not tourist visa required.

Should I purchase travel insurance for international travel?

First, get insurance if you are leaving your home country. In this case you should always have emergency medical and evacuation coverage. … Whenever you are traveling abroad, get either a travel medical plan or vacation plan that includes medical emergencies. There are several providers online, do your search and choose the one that fit better your travel plans

What is the most appropriate type of luggage to carry?

We highly recommend bringing a backpack or duffel bag, as suitcases can be cumbersome and difficult to store on buses, under seats, etc. Please note that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and trains, and go up and down the hotel stairs. Wheeled suitcases may not work well on dirt or cobblestone roads.

Do your tours include international airfare?

When we do group excursions, the air ticket is included. It is important that you check the information of the specific excursion to be sure which cities it covers

What is the Colombia currency ?

Colombia Peso (COP$)
ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are common and accepted in many hotels and restaurants. You are better off using your ATM card in Colombia, as you will get a much better exchange rate.

The US dollar is the only foreign currency worth trying to change in Colombia; expect dismal rates for euros, pounds sterling, Australian dollars etc.

Tipping
Restaurants A government regulation dictates that in midrange and top-end restaurants (anywhere there is a service charge), your waiter must ask you if they can add the 10% service charge to the bill.
Taxis Tipping in taxis is not commonplace but rounding up to the nearest 500 or 1000 pesos is quite normal.

What is the best time to travel to Colombia?

It is possible to travel to the country all year round since there are no seasons. But if you want to escape crowds, it is better to avoid peak season months, like December, January and July..

 What clothes should I bring?

It depends on the city you’re going to, because there have a variety of climates and weather conditions, so do some research beforehand. If you’re visiting the Caribbean coast ( Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla), summer clothes and beachwear is a must. For the capital, Bogotá, quite often it’s cloudy and chilly, so you should have warmer clothes and a rain jacket. For Medellín, “the City of Eternal Spring”, light clothes and dresses are great for its amazing weather. And if you’re visiting the south, like the Amazon jungle, be prepared for humidity and mosquitoes, so please bring long-sleeve shirts and long trousers.

Which vaccinations do I need?

Due to Colombia’s location in the tropical region, you might need the Yellow Fever Vaccination, especially if you’re going to visit a national park or the Amazon jungle, remember that this vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to traveling to these destinations. It is VERY IMPORTANT to determine if you need one, depending on the places you will go.

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak worldwide. Your safety and well-being is our top priority. As the situation continues to evolve, we understand that you may have concerns about your current and future travel plans. Our travel advisors are available to discuss any questions you may have and options that may be available to change your travels.

We all hope the situation stabilizes and resolves quickly, but while it is evolving it is important to refer to verified information sources.

We recommend the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), WHO (World Health Organization) and US Department of State Advisories as the best resources at this time.

Make sure to consult with your family doctor about the vaccinations that might be necessary or useful. Please keep in mind that Valencia Travel cannot give any kind of medical recommendations.

What is the distance between the main cities?

One of the most common mistakes some travelers make is assuming that distances between cities, like Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena, are short. Please take a look at a map service (e.g. Google Maps or Bing Maps) to get an idea of the distances and do the proper planning before scheduling your trip.

Where is the pickup place for my tour?

We’ll pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at the time the voucher shows. If you are in an apartment, we’ll pick you up at the main entrance of the building (please provide us with the name of the building and apartment number, just in case if we need to contact you).

At what time will our guide pick us up?

Every tour starts at a different time. The pickup time is written on the voucher, thus please read this information carefully.

Can I/we visit a place that is not included in the tour I/we booked?

Sure! The tours are organized with different sights, however, if you want to change something during your itinerary, just ask the guide about it and he/she will make the modifications. It is important to know that these changes will be made only if we don’t have to modify the original route.

Are the tours only in Spanish?

Generally, the tours are in English or Spanish. Upon request, you can book a tour in French, German or Portuguese. Feel free to contact us and ask for the language of your preference.

Do the tours include an English Speaking driver?

No, all the drivers are Spanish speakers.

Why do I have to send you my/our Passport details?

To finalize your booking, and ensure your safety, we are required by the government to provide information about our travelers. We only require your first and last name, country and your passport number to finalize this process.

Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Colombia

  • # 1 Watch your steps. …
  • # 2 Colombia Safety. … (Trust Valencia Travel) . …
  • # 3 Forget Your diet for a while. …
  • # 4 Fruit is delicious. …
  • # 5 Learn some Spanish before you go. …
  • # 6 Colombians are very friendly and helpful. …
  • # 7 It is not a cheap country (as it probably used to be). …

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