10 Things you should know before traveling to Colombia

You are currently planning a trip around Colombia? Here are 10 things that you should definitely know to make the best out of your South American adventure.

1. Get ready for Jetlags (and Memories).

Colombia has one time zone, Colombia Time (COT), which is located in the UTC−05:00. It is seven hours before European Summer Time (CEST), so get ready for Jetlags! During our first days in Colombia, we woke up very early in the morning around 4 or 5 am. Flying back to Europe and getting used to European time was even harder. To avoid Jetlags in advance, we recommend to use the app Timeshifter.

2. Currency Rule: Divide the amount of money by 5.000.

The national currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). 5.000 Colombian Pesos are approximately 1 Euro/USD. So, instead of "doing the maths", this simple trick will help you to do quick calculation. Besides, for paying e.g. hostel stays or food at restaurants, you can most likely pay with Visa Card. We use the one from Tomorrow which combines mobile banking with sustainability. The application is definitely the most user-friendly we have experienced so far! So if you would like to switch to a bank with impact, find out more information here.

3. Buy your Colombian SIM Card from Claro.

When you arrive in Colombia, you can simply buy a SIM card at one of the multiple Claro Shops. We bought SIM cards with 30 GB for our three weeks roudtrip. It's extremely cheap, as we paid less than 10€ in total.

4. Learn some basic Spanish to communicate with locals.

In Colombia, people rarely speak English. That's why learning some basics before your trip can safe you time and frustration! We recommend to use the app Duolingo for practising fundamental vocabulary. In addition, here are some simple phrases that might be useful:

Hallo./Guten Tag. Hola.

Auf Wiedersehen. Adiós.

Wie geht es? ¿Qué tal?

Die Rechnung bitte. La cuenta, por favor.

Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?

¿Tienen comida vegetariana?

Ich hätte gern (einen Kaffee). Quisiera (un café).

Wo ist die Toilette? ¿Donde esta el bano?

Ich möchte gern … kaufen. Quisiera comprar …

Wie viel kostet das? ¿Cuánto cuesta?

Wo ist …? ¿Dónde está …?

Wie lautet die Adresse? ¿Cuál es la dirección?

5. Uber is illegal in Colombia. However, using the app is easy and safe.

Using Uber for traveling around cities is still illegal in Colombia. When traveling together, we had the experience that drivers often insisted on one person sitting in the front seat. The reason behind is that the police will easier detect cars with only passengers sitting in the back. However, we personally think it's convenient and safe. Reasons: First, you don't have to negotiate the price for a ride. Second, you can check in advance if the driver is verified and safe to travel with.

6. Traveling by bus in the cheapest option.

If you are planning a round trip around Colombia, we definitely recommend to travel by bus as a cheap and sustainable option. There are many different companies offering rides from one city to another. We recommend to book your tickets at Busbud. Note: Tickets must be printed at the company's counter inside the bus station. We used buses for long distances like Bogotá to Armenia (7 hours) and Armenia to Medellín (6 hours). Be prepared to wear comfy clothes and layers, in case the air condition gets you goosebumps. However, there are some distances where you might consider taking a flight, for example from Medellín to Cartagena. A bus ride will take 12 up to 20 hours, depending on traffic and constructions. For this reason, we decided for the more convenient 1.5 hours flight with LATAM airline. Tip: Booking flight tickets in advance will safe you additional costs, as prices are very cheap from 30€ upwards.

7. Be prepared for changing climate.

When you arrive, the first city that you are going to stay will probably be Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. One important thing to know: Bogotá is located in a very high altitude, approx. 2.625m above sea level. During the first days after arrival, many people feel the height and suffer from altitude sickness! However, locals claim that coca tea helps to survive the sickness. It is an herbal tea (infusion) made using the raw or dried leaves of the coca plant.

Besides, Bogotá has a mild climate the whole year while at the north west coast it can be extremely hot. On our trip in May, it was around 17°C in Bogotá and a nice, sunny climate around 18-24°C in the Eje Cafetero and Medellín - while in Cartagena it was super hot with 34°C and almost no cooling during the night. Besides, rain is unpredictable in Colombia. So, be prepared for all weather conditions and don't forget to bring your rain jacket.

8. Must-Things for your packing list.

• Sunscreen 🧴

• Sun glasses 🕶

• Mosquito Spray 🦟

• Flip Flops 🩴

• Swimsuit/Bikini 👙

• US charger 🔌

• Rain jacket 🧥

9. Tips are polite, but not a mandatory gesture.

While having breakfast, lunch or dinner in Colombian restaurants, it is common that the waitress or waiter will ask you to add a tip to the bill. In most restaurants, a 10 percent tip "Propina Voluntaria" will be included automatically (mostly in touristic areas). Most people pay it, however it is not required. So don't feel bad and forced to pay. You can also add a smaller tip or kindly refuse it at all.

10. Don't be papaya ( = Don't be silly)!

Colombia has a bad image in most people's mind when it comes to criminality. However, we have been lucky to not experience anything related. The country is definitely safe to travel but there are some things you should be aware of. Especially in big cities like Bogotá or Medellín always watch out for your personal belongings. When traveling around Colombia as a tourist it is common that street vendors and taxi drivers will talk to you immediately. Tip: Always be friendly to the locals, not everyone has bad intentions. However, pay attention and don't fall for silly tricks. Don't enter areas where no people are around - instead, stay in the safe, touristy spots of the city. Our tour guide in Medellín explained this in so called "papaya levels". Papaya level 1 means this is a safe spot! In Papaya level 4 (dangeours areas), you should leave expensive things like your mobile where its safe - in your pockets. So before you book your place to stay for the night, make sure it is in one of the "good" areas. For more tips on where to stay in Medellín or Bogotá follow us!