Travel Tips for Visiting Columbia For The First Time
The Best Ways to Vacation in Colombia – 5 Travel Tips
Taking a trip to Colombia can be an amazing way to see this vibrant Northwests corner of South America and take in some breathtaking sights. The bustling cities of Cartagena, Bogota, and Medellin to will entertain you with their 16th century Spanish colonial charm while the wild Amazon rainforests and beautiful Caribbean beaches will fascinate you. And then, of course, there’s the coffee and chocolate to indulge in. Whenever you travel, however, you need to do a bit of research. Visiting another country means you will want to be respectful of local customs and savvy enough to avoid being taken advantage of. Take a look at these top travel tips for Columbia before your trip and travel like a pro.
#1. Visa Requirements
International trips require that you fill out a lot of paperwork. With so many boxes to check, you might forget to pay attention to a few key details. Before you travel anywhere, be sure you know what type of visa you will need. Colombia does not require visas from all travelers, so be sure to look into the regulations of your country of origin to make your trip easier from the start.
#2. Currency
While Colombia is considered a safe country to visit, there are certain precautions you should take. Carrying cash isn’t advisable, especially in cities unfamiliar to you. Cities all over the world contain dense crowds of people, which makes it easy for pickpockets to make off with your wallet without your notice.
Instead of taking a risk, look into apps like Sharemoney. The internet has made it easier than ever before to travel without the need to carry large sums of money around with you at all times. Look into what the app can do for you and learn how you can send yourself money in Colombia.
#3. Transportation Options
Colombia is home to a number of prominent cities, that most people choose to visit when taking a trip to the country. If you’ve never been to Bogota or Medellin before, it can be very useful to take a look at public transportation options in advance. Specifically, explore the transportation in areas where you will be staying, but broaden your research if you plan on traveling between cities. Depending on how far the destination is, you might want to fly from one city to the next.
Taxis and rideshare apps like Uber are also popular options for travelers. Still, taxi services tend to run a bit more on the expensive side. While in any of the major cities of Colombia, you’re likely to get the most mileage out of your funds by taking the public transportation option. Familiarize yourself with bus and rail options before you depart and you’ll have an easier time getting where you’d like to go.
#4. Get Recommendations
There is a lot to see and do in Colombia. If you don’t have a specific direction in mind, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options in front of you. Instead of winging it, try to get recommendations from people you know who have traveled there. Personal recommendations can help you create an exciting plan of action for your visit. Of course, sites like TripAdvisor have made it easy to see what activities are available in each city.
#5. Know Some Local Language
In Colombia, Spanish is the language spoken by a vast majority of the people. While you might not be able to fully learn the language in time for your visit, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the basic components of Spanish. Apps like Duolingo can help you get a basic vocabulary in your system so that you can try and communicate to the best of your abilities. Pocket dictionaries are also a great idea for those with a basic understanding of the language already.
Whenever you plan on traveling abroad, it is a good idea to do some research in advance. The more you look into your destination and the options that await, the easier it will be for you to lose yourself in the experience.
