Whether or not you’re drawn by its endless coastlines, untamed jungle or high-altitude national parks, Colombia is assured to dazzle.

After many years of affiliation with armed battle and drug cartels, this South American nation emerged from that tough chapter as one of many continent’s most thrilling and welcoming destinations to explore. And past all of the pure magnificence, Colombians themselves are the nation’s true treasures.

As you set your Colombia itinerary collectively, observe these recommendations on planning, well being, security and extra to make sure an unforgettable journey to this one-of-a-kind place.

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1. Pack for all climate

Whether or not you’re hitting the Caribbean coast or heading to the rainier local weather of the capital Bogotá, you may count on to expertise a full array of climate situations in Colombia. Climate general falls into two classes – the dry season (December by February and July by August) and the wet season (April, Could, and September by November) – but due to the nation’s variation in altitudes and ecosystems, you might properly expertise all 4 seasons in a single journey.

As a rule, the Caribbean coast is sizzling and humid, whereas Bogotá and the higher-altitude Andean areas obtain a surfeit of rain. Come ready with loads of layers, together with a heat, easy-to-pack rain jacket, and also you’ll be prepared for regardless of the climate may throw at you.

2. Don’t try to see all of Colombia in a single journey

A giant mistake made by even seasoned vacationers is to attempt to pack an excessive amount of into a visit to Colombia. Earlier than attempting to the touch foot in each nook of the nation throughout a two-week itinerary, solid your eyes over the map – then drill down.

Follow exploring one part of the nation, and exploring it properly. You possibly can spend three weeks bouncing between sun-soaked Caribbean seashores, say, or heading from Medellín deep into the Zona Cafetera. Your journey ought to match Colombia’s attribute tempo: sluggish and fulfilling.

3. Home flights are inexpensive and fast

If you happen to’re nonetheless feeling formidable about your journey,, Colombia’s low-cost airways provide essentially the most environment friendly manner of getting around (although you need to spare a thought to your carbon footprint). Whereas nothing fairly compares with the expertise of taking a regional bus (the place you’ll be “entertained” by deafening music for the length), more and more low-cost fares can be found for home flights.

Don’t be fooled by rock-bottom headline costs, as these sometimes don’t embody checked and even carry-on baggage. Tickets throughout peak travel seasons (December by mid-January, Semana Santa and June by August) will command a premium and may promote out quickly, so e book flights prematurely if visiting throughout these months.

4. A bit Spanish will get you a great distance

For a rustic so lengthy enveloped by violent battle, Colombia in the present day is a remarkably open and welcoming vacation spot for worldwide vacationers. Wherever you might be, it’s straightforward to strike up a dialog with the proprietor of a restaurant, your taxi driver or a neighborhood having fun with the sunshine in a metropolis plaza. And so they’ll be delighted if you do.

Understanding greater than the basics of Spanish can go a great distance, spurring partaking, fascinating conversations about Colombian tradition, soccer, historical past and politics. Colombian Spanish, notably in Bogotá and Medellín, is taken into account one of many best to know in Latin America since Colombians are inclined to fastidiously enunciate their phrases. Take advantage of inexpensive language faculties in these two main cities to get some follow in earlier than you head out into the remainder of the nation.

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5. Don’t get choosy about punctuality

As in a lot of Latin America, Colombian tradition isn’t identified for its strict adherence to the clock, and a punctuality-obsessed traveler is usually a upset one. Since “Colombian time” virtually occupies its personal time zone, you need to depart any notions of to-the-minute schedules at dwelling. To keep away from getting pissed off, chill out and embrace being versatile. That is actually the one technique to take care of the sometimes laid-back Colombian perspective towards life, the universe…and just about every part else.

Whereas massive, inter-regional buses and flights do have a tendency to depart on time, tight schedules aren’t adopted in lots of different contexts. If you happen to’re making an appointment with a Colombian individual or ready for a rural colectivo to depart, deliver a e book as you might be ready as much as an hour past the agreed time.

6. Taxis will assist you to get round safely

Whereas security is not the overwhelming concern it as soon as was in Colombia, taking taxis when touring between neighborhoods in massive cities is a good selection. Wandering round at night time (notably after you’ve had a shot of heady aguardiente or two) is usually an invite to opportunistic thieves.

Taxis are extraordinarily inexpensive and comparatively painless if utilizing a rideshare app akin to Cabify or Uber. Hailing a taxi can depart you open to scams – or worse – so calling forward for a cab (or asking your resort to) is really useful. All the time affirm the value or examine that the taxi has a working meter earlier than coming into a car.

7. Bogotá has a well-established homosexual scene

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Colombia in early Eighties, and the primary same-sex bridal ceremony was carried out in 2013 – proof that this nation has among the extra progressive attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ rights in Latin America. Bogotá particularly has a well-established homosexual scene, with bars and nightlife largely present in Chapinero, one among the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Some lodgings and eating places are starting to promote themselves as gay-friendly.

Nonetheless, regardless of the nation’s progressive legal guidelines, a lot of Colombian society stays traditionalist, and lots of same-sex {couples} nonetheless really feel unsafe exhibiting affection in public.

8. Tipping isn’t compulsory, however it’s appreciated

Eating out in Colombia is extraordinarily inexpensive. And if you get the invoice at fancier eating places, it’s doubtless you’ll be requested if you wish to embody the propina (tip), sometimes round 10% of the price of the meal, if you pay. Service in eating places, cafes and bars throughout Colombia is mostly a lot better than in lots of different elements of South America, so except you had a horrible expertise, the tip an expression of your gratitude.

9. Touring is protected – when you stick with the crushed observe

Colombia has skilled extraordinary change prior to now few many years, shedding its title as one among Latin America’s most harmful nations and coming into its personal as a journey vacation spot that pulls guests from around the globe. This sea change comes all the way down to the history-making peace accords signed in 2016 between the Colombian authorities and the FARC, which, after 5 many years of battle, have led to many rural elements of the nation lastly shifting from no-go areas into welcoming locations for guests.

Nonetheless, we wouldn’t suggest straying too removed from the crushed path. Some rural areas stay harmful due to their hyperlinks with neo-paramilitary and drug-trafficking teams, notably alongside the borders with Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador. Earlier than touring anyplace uncommon, at all times analysis the state of affairs on the bottom in addition to your authorities’s most up-to-date journey advisories.

10. Medicine and speaking about that Netflix present are massive no-nos

If there’s one technique to annoy Colombians, it’s to get onto a subject that many Western vacationers proceed to affiliate with the nation: medicine. Unlawful substances are a taboo topic in Colombia, and regardless of (or extra doubtless, due to) the nation’s historical past, few Colombians take them. Residents of Medellín, particularly, are fed up with the town’s affiliation with drug cartels and with vacationers who go there to make use of cocaine, which is illegitimate and will see you stepping into a whole lot of hassle if caught.

When touring in Colombia, don’t point out Narcos, both. Colombians are pissed off with the Netflix present’s portrayal of the nation and what they see because the exaltation of a mass assassin. You possibly can present some respect by steering away from the numerous Pablo Escobar excursions, too. Listening to native individuals’s experiences through the drug-war years is prone to be way more informative and correct.

11. Scams and muggings do occur

Whereas security has improved considerably, you need to at all times “no dar papaya.” This pleasant idiom – which accurately interprets to “don’t give papaya” – means you need to at all times maintain your wits about you, staying alert to those that would reap the benefits of you. In follow, this implies following commonsense tips: don’t wander down darkish, empty streets at night time; don’t head out into neighborhoods you don’t know with out checking their security first; and don’t flap in regards to the metropolis with an costly digital camera or cellphone on show. Journey insurance coverage is important as a result of muggings are, sadly nonetheless a difficulty in cities akin to Bogota, Cali and Medellín.

It is best to by no means resist if somebody tries to rob you. Distraction methods are these used most fruitfully by would-be thieves, so at all times be cautious of individuals coming as much as you on the street or being requested to point out your cash to scammers posing as law enforcement officials. If issues do go improper, head to the closest police station to report the crime instantly. The police will put collectively a report and offer you a duplicate, which you’ll must make an insurance coverage declare.

12. Rural checkpoints retain a robust navy presence

When touring in rural elements of Colombia, it’s not unusual to come back throughout street checkpoints staffed by military personnel, who’ll typically ask to see your paperwork earlier than waving you in your manner. In areas just lately opened to tourism, you may even spot tanks and different navy autos stationed alongside roads.

Whereas it may appear intimidating, this seen navy presence is supposed to guard the native individuals – and guests such as you. Be well mannered and have the proper paperwork (both your precise passport or a photocopy of the principle web page and entry stamp) with you, and also you’ll not often have a difficulty.

13. Don’t let this nation’s historical past scare you away

Colombia has come a great distance for the reason that darkish days of the Eighties and Nineties, and its residents are greater than excited to point out you their beautiful and wonderfully diverse country. The most important mistake you can also make is to let Netflix or outdated information stories scare you away – for this can be a nation that almost each traveler can’t assist however fall in love with.

The most important hazard when visiting Colombia? Discovering you might by no means wanting to depart.