Funny Things About Americans in Colombia South America
21 Things You Demand to Know Before Visiting Colombia
Colombia is a South American land with such rich diversity that instead of our planned ane month visit, we stayed hither much longer. An interest in traveling to Republic of colombia grows every year, and so we want to share with you 21 essential things you should know before planning a trip and visiting this beautiful country.
Republic of colombia was the first destination we visited in South America, simply nosotros must acknowledge, it stole our hearts. It is probably not a coincidence that many travelers have a very similar feeling.
Thank you to it, Republic of colombia rapidly gained a reputation of being 1 of the top travel countries on the continent.
Colombia is at the moment on the radar of many international travelers. Therefore we recall you lot should know more nearly it before your trip.
However, the country is unique, you tin expect to deal with many specific situations, and in a nutshell, it is always better to be well-prepared.
Republic of colombia is a very diverse country, and it offers an incredible number of attractions, from white sandy beaches to over 5000 meters high mount tops.
But before yous pack your stuff and set off, it is also expert to know that community, safety, or overall culture are very different from what y'all know by middle dorsum at domicile.
This is why nosotros've put together this list of things you need to know before visiting Colombia. It includes a few random tips we've nerveless during our travels.
Actually, there were 21 things you should know earlier traveling to Colombia, but we wrote this post on the road, and while editing information technology later at home, we came up with a few more, so the math does not friction match.
Nosotros hope you won't heed and will savor this post!
#1 WATCH YOUR STEPS
We've never stumbled that many times when walking on streets as in Colombia. Some parts of the pavement are very frequently missing, and all of a sudden, there is just a hole, and then watch your steps, particularly in bigger cities.
What is even more than important, be actually careful after the dark every bit some less visited places still accept very poorly lit streets, and information technology is very piece of cake to fall.
You might think that broken pavements are something yous can go used to later on some time, but it is actually quite difficult.
Especially when sightseeing in the city with a camera in hand.
This trouble is more in cities such equally Bogota or Popayan than in smaller colonial towns, but we recommend you to mind your steps all the time.
Cities are not wheelchair and stroller-friendly considering usually, y'all must surmount a big stride when you want to go from the road to the pavement.
That does not mean Colombia is not a destination for families. Still, you lot will very likely detect it much more than comfortable to carry your kid in a baby carrier rather than struggle with a stroller.
As well, practise not expect that vehicles yield at pedestrian crossings; always wait effectually equally traffic can exist crazy.
#ii COLOMBIA SAFETY
Colombia surely does not accept the best reputation when it comes to rubber. And it'southward non just Colombia, merely other countries on this continent as well.
That'southward why it is essential to stay safe in South America while traveling.
On the other hand, the situation has been apace improving, and we are now confident that you should be fine when you follow all the basic rubber rules.
Of form, mishaps happen, but they happen anywhere in the world, not just in Colombia.
The association with drug cartels and violence slowly disappears.
But of course, even though we could read that prophylactic in Republic of colombia is much better than it used to be, we were a bit concerned before our travels to Republic of colombia.
It was our first experience with visiting a South American country, and some of the articles we could read online made u.s. feel uneasy.
Fortunately, our fears did non fulfill.
In all countries around the world, it is useful to know that some areas, either in the metropolis or a country in general, are better to avoid.
Still, when you use your common sense, travel with someone, follow generally the backpacker's trail, don't wearable shiny jewelry, and don't walk lightheaded after dark, y'all should exist fine.
You should always watch your belongings (once in Bogota, I left my phone in a jacket I had around my waist and was a victim of a sneaky robbery immediately), especially in crowded places and on public transport.
E'er have your backpack with you, don't shop all valuables in one place, and pass everything over without resistance in instance of robbery.
To keep your valuables safe, consider purchasing a money belt or anti-theft daypack.
Because nosotros take lots of photos during our travels, it is incommunicable to proceed the camera in the haversack all the time.
We usually use a smaller mirrorless camera when walking effectually the metropolis and use the larger i when traveling in the countryside.
Also, when Martin takes photos, I try to be around, stay cautious, and pay attention to his environs (withal giddy it might seem).
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#three FORGET YOUR Nutrition FOR A WHILE
Colombian nutrient is hearty and filling. To put it mildly. In a nutshell, especially at the beginning of our trip, we felt a bit drastic, and it was difficult to adapt to this change as this food was completely dissimilar from our usual eating habits.
Every meal we found was fried, non fresh, without herbs, or also sweet, not exactly what nosotros ordinarily swallow.
Also, not every time we travel we tin allow spending lots of fourth dimension looking for a restaurant, that'due south why we often concluded up with food nosotros were not 100% satisfied with.
After some time, the situation improved.
We learned some Spanish words, we always in restaurants looked for menu del dia which consists of soup, the main grade with meat, salad, and juice (for about ten 000 COP) and for dinner, we unremarkably cooked something on our own.
Later, nosotros find some really nice restaurants and mostly, after we traveled more than s of Medellin, the situation improved and we looked forward to eating again.
The street food unremarkably consists of empanadas (fried pastry with meat and potato filling), which we usually bought when traveling all mean solar day on the bus, and arepas (dough made of maize), which we establish especially ugly.
Certainly, we do not desire to put you off.
It is just expert to know that Colombia is not a foodie destination (when traveling on a upkeep), such every bit the whole of Southeast Asia, although it is, of grade, only our individual point of view.
#four COLOMBIAN FRUIT IS Succulent
Although we plant food in Republic of colombia a little flake dull, we must say that fruit is incredibly delicious.
We got addicted to papaya and pineapple, which became our everyday must-accept, but nosotros also tried native fruits such as guanabana, guava, lulo, tomato del arbol, and many more.
The best place where to find fresh fruit is in local markets.
Luckily, yous will discover at least one market with veggies and fruits in every town or city.
In our mail dedicate to long term travel, we mentioned that information technology is quite important to maintain a daily routine - for us, buying delicious fruit was a thing we always looked forward to.
We are non afraid to say it was i of the reasons why we were able to travel for and then long.
Not only in Colombia, but Southward America overall.
#five Learn SOME SPANISH BEFORE Y'all Go
English is not widely spoken in Republic of colombia. To exist honest, we were unpleasantly surprised that literally, no one speaks English, quite frequently not fifty-fifty people working in the tourism industry.
Afterward a first few days when we had a problem ordering meals in the eating place or figure out how much a coach ticket toll, we came to an inevitable conclusion that it is necessary to learn some basic Spanish.
We recommend you to have at least a translator on your phone ready; otherwise, yous won't be able to go any help.
In case you lot have more than time to prepare for your trip, either take a Spanish linguistic communication class or purchase a Spanish textbook.
One time y'all acquire some basics, your trip will surely be more pleasant.
We traveled in Due south America for a year, and if at that place's i matter we regret, it is a fact we hadn't spoken Castilian fluently as we missed many opportunities to talk to locals more naturally.
#6 COLOMBIANS ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL
Colombians are very friendly and helpful. We are sure this is something every traveler to Republic of colombia will ostend, and we besides recall it is ane of the nearly of import things to know before visiting the country.
When you enquire for any information or advice, locals volition try to aid yous immediately
And when they don't know the answer, they will surely discover a friend around who can solve your troubles.
We even experienced a situation when a bus driver gathered all staff from a jitney terminal, only because he did non know an reply to our question himself.
If yous have a trouble or don't know your directions, Colombians volition do their all-time to aid y'all out.
#seven Republic of colombia IS NOT A CHEAP COUNTRY (AS It USED TO BE)
Colombia is not that inexpensive when it comes to traveling. Don't await like prices as in Southeast Asia for sure.
Jitney tickets are pretty expensive and although the food and accommodation are slightly cheaper than in Europe, traveling in Colombia toll united states of america more than nosotros expected.
It is probably highly individual opinion, but we can imagine more friendly countries for our bank account every bit budget travelers.
The entrance fee to San Agustin Archaeological Park is not very budget-friendly, and adventure activities in San Gil don't come up cheap either.
Sadly, the quality of services often does not reflect the toll, simply it is the aforementioned as in other countries. Some services are exceptional; some are very poor.
Even though Republic of colombia is non the cheapest country we've e'er visited, it is by far not the almost expensive, and the visit was totally worth information technology.
Simply put, Republic of colombia is not Brazil or Chilean Patagonia, and information technology's still a very affordable destination, though it's not as cheap as you might expect.
#8 PUBLIC Send IS SLOW
It is very likely that you will travel effectually Republic of colombia by public transport. And although it is possible to become by bus to almost all destinations, expect tiring journeys, winding and bumpy roads and a lot of sitting.
When traveling by bus, be prepared that the journey will be more slow.
Our average travel speed was less than 40 km/h. The distance you lot can cover per twenty-four hours is express, so don't forget to programme your itinerary accordingly.
Afterward 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. The journey was long and tiring, and somewhen, nosotros found out that flight tickets were only slightly more expensive and would have saved us a bumpy ride.
#ix WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS GET Busy
Colombians dearest to travel, especially in large groups. They too love to celebrate. It seemed to us that every weekend local people decide to accept all their family and friends for a trip.
It is an awesome habit, only some places were, thanks to it, super-crowded, and adaptation in the near popular destinations booked.
Endeavor to avoid long weekends, and if you lot travel on Friday or Sabbatum, book in advance.
Also, when y'all plan your itinerary, check out national holidays, and brand certain you reserve tours or hotels, simply in example.
Busy weekends have ane big advantage, though. Some places and areas are safer.
That's why, for example, we hiked to Cerro de Monserrate in Bogota or explored Arvi Park in Medellin during the weekend, fifty-fifty though the trails were decorated.
#x SUGAR IS IN EVERYTHING
One of the first words we learned in Castilian were 'sin azucar', which ways without sugar. Nosotros found everything in Colombia also sweet, to be honest.
From a classic bread to white yogurt, you must look that sugar is an ingredient that is not missing.
What more, there's more sugar in information technology that you are probably used to.
Even if you are a sweetness tooth, you might detect the corporeality of sugar higher than acceptable. But maybe not. Feel costless to let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
We had to make an effort while shopping and look for exceptions, which took us quite a lot of time.
#11 COLOMBIA IS A Various Land
We have never believed we would enjoy traveling in Republic of colombia that much. The country is incredibly diverse, and it offers a place for every type of traveler.
You'll find in Colombia the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Sea, wonderful sandy beaches, photogenic wild fauna, diverse flora, mountain ranges, volcanoes over 5000 meters high, deserts, colonial cities, wax palms, indigenous tribes, and much more.
Generally speaking, Colombia is a destination for everyone, and creating the perfect Colombia itinerary is incredibly difficult, as it is only impossible to encounter everything quickly.
Nature and the fact Colombia is rich in architecture but also archaeological places ways only one affair. The state is getting every year more and more pop.
#12 HOT H2o DOESN'T Hateful HOT IN THE Truthful SENSE OF THE TERM
Does your adaptation advertise a hot shower? Permit's say that a hot shower in Republic of colombia ways rather tepid water.
It was a real treat when we found a place with warm water equally it happened very sporadically.
It is ok in places such as the Tatacoa Desert, where temperatures often exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
Still, we would have appreciated warmer water in colder areas such as Bogota or Manizales.
On the other hand, nosotros realize that nosotros always stayed in cheaper hotels.
In example your Colombia budget is college, you might have a dissimilar experience as we believe the service is better.
#13 POLICE AND SOLDIERS ARE EVERYWHERE
In that location is yet a potent police presence in Colombia. Yous can see police officers and soldiers everywhere around.
And information technology takes time to get used to the fact that they are non here considering something is going on, just they are on the streets to brand sure that no issues volition arise.
Condom, every bit we've already mentioned, has been increasing in this country every twelvemonth, only it will probably take longer to feel the sensation of walking the streets of Colombia without being watched all the time.
#14 NETFLIX TV Series NARCOS
Take you seen the TV serial Narcos from Netflix, and did you like it? Fine, simply proceed it for yourself when traveling in Colombia.
Drug trafficking and violence are still a very sensitive topic here in Colombia for understandable reasons, and locals have a feeling that the evidence doesn't depict the reality correctly.
Also, they don't want Colombia to be seen equally a drug country once more, so generally steer articulate of this topic. This is 1 of the things you should know before traveling to Medellin, but other places as well.
In cities such equally Medellin, which has been for long infamous for drugs and particularly narco businesswoman Pablo Escobar, is really talking about this issue some kind of taboo.
The country has been transforming, and the transformation is a long and painful procedure.
And then respect local peoples' determination and exercise not speak about this topic, at to the lowest degree publicly.
Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Medellin that will let you lot to see the city in a new low-cal.
# xv HAGGLING
You probably tin try to haggle in Colombia, there are some places such as the markets (for example in Medellin), where it is fifty-fifty expected, but we didn't have the need, to be honest.
Different in Southeast Asia, we almost never felt overcharged, and nearly of the times we saw that locals pay the same toll as we do.
For the states, it was a dainty change not to bargain all the time.
#16 BAGS OF WATER
Yous tin can purchase h2o in big plastic bags, and although information technology is not the most practical affair, it helps yous save some money as information technology is cheaper than bottled water.
We bought a few numberless of water before traveling to the super hot Tatacoa Desert, equally the water in the desert was really expensive.
But permit's talk near water more closely.
Aforementioned as any other developing country, Colombia also has a huge trouble with plastic. Nosotros are non afraid to say that it is your responsibleness as a traveler to reduce your plastic consumption to the very minimum.
We know it is often non 100% possible, but when you buy, for example, a 5-liter plastic purse or barrel of water, it is much better than when y'all buy five i-liter bottles.
Therefore, when traveling abroad, not only to Colombia, e'er have your favorite reusable h2o bottle.
On peak of that, most of the better hostels and hotels take a big tank of water in the antechamber where you can refill your water bottles for free.
You lot might desire to cheque out this water bottle with integrated filter if you lot want to endeavor something new and sustainable.
#17 Dazzler IS IMPORTANT
You might find that Colombian girls are very often well-positioned when it comes to world beauty competitions.
When in Colombia, nosotros could see that the cult of beauty here is really strong, and everyone, guys included, intendance virtually their visage, perhaps too much if you enquire.
An obvious trend is to wear braces at every age to accept straight teeth, and information technology as well seems that plastic surgery is a real matter here.
We do not want to say whether it is skillful to know, but it is surely a affair you will notice.
It is necessary to say that we often felt badly dressed in our outdoor and functional clothes.
Speaking of dazzler, the colonial town of Barichara is often considered the prettiest town in Colombia.
# xviii Coffee
Where else to drink java than in Colombia, the country with one of the world's largest productions?
Colombians usually drink coffee called tinto', a small, inexpensive, and sweetness cup y'all can buy along the road.
Tinto is the 2nd quality coffee, every bit well-nigh of the premium quality is exported (it is too expensive for locals).
If we tin give you advice, avert this type of coffee and rather visit a adept coffee shop where the cup of coffee costs more just is also ameliorate.
As well visiting a java shop, your other alternative is to visit a proper java farm in 1 of the coffee towns such equally Salento, Jardin, or Manizales.
We visited an organic java farm in the middle of Zona Cafetera, and not simply could we see how hard it is to get a tasty cup of coffee on customers' tables, but also nosotros could taste the best coffee nosotros've e'er had.
And by the way, Salento is also dwelling to Cocora Valley, where you will discover the national trees of Colombia - wax palms.
# 19 COLOMBIANS ARE VERY POLITE
Fifty-fifty in breezy everyday conversation, Colombians talk very politely, and instead of using unproblematic sentences, they always say actress thousand words.
Although information technology is nice, this habit e'er fabricated information technology much harder for u.s. to understand the real point as our Castilian was not the best.
And when we politely asked the person to repeat the sentence more slowly, we usually receive the exact aforementioned answer, with a few actress new words.
Information technology is funny when we remember about it now, but it was a bit stressful on the route, especially when we were in a hurry.
# 20 TAXIS
Mostly, it is prophylactic to use a taxi in Colombia. It is always amend to inquire in the hotel or in the eating place to telephone call a radio taxi for you than to hail the cab on the street.
Always agree on the price before y'all sit in the car.
Nosotros never had a problem with yellow taxis; drivers e'er brought us to our destination safely and asked for a reasonable amount.
You can utilize Uber in bigger cities. Note that Uber in Colombia is illegal, and then information technology is ever better to sit in the forepart side by side to the driver, so it looks like he is giving a ride to a friend, not to a client.
# 21 CASH IS KING
Y'all won't purchase much with your credit card in Republic of colombia. You tin can utilise it in some shops (Exito) and amend quality hotels, just greenbacks always has a priority.
The highest value bill is 50 000 COP, and the highest amount we were able to withdraw was 780 000 COP. If you see a garish light-green ATM with a blackness Servibanca sign, that's the one you are looking for!
As it is not very safety to comport around a lot of coin with y'all, e'er withdraw only as much as you need for a few days. Merely make sure that your adjacent destination has an ATM.
And when visiting places such as Tayrona National Park, make sure to bring enough cash for the entire length of your stay every bit at that place are no ATMs at all.
#22 YOU Tin'T See EVERYTHING
Republic of colombia is a large country, and fifty-fifty if you can travel indefinitely, you would need years to see information technology all. That's beingness said, and you lot only cannot see everything this country has to offer.
That'south not a bad thing.
When creating your travel itinerary, focus on the top highlights, and if time allows, make certain you visit an interesting destination off the well-trodden path.
Although we commonly do non travel to countries we have already visited, we have a feeling we will break this dominion of ours quite before long.
Colombia is a captivating land, and nosotros actually meet it every bit a positive that information technology is incommunicable to see it all. It is a reason to come back one day.
# 23 RAINY AND DRY SEASON
If there's something you should know before planning your trip to Colombia, is that yous tin feel two distinct seasons: dry and rainy.
Co-ordinate to usa, Republic of colombia is a country you can visit any time of the year, but you should consider those seasons.
It is also important to know that you can expect a very different climate in Bogota and Tayrona National Park on the same day because of the diversity and vastness of the country.
In general, the all-time fourth dimension to visit Colombia is between Dec and February. Information technology is the dry season that usually guarantees articulate skies and warm temperatures.
We visited Colombia in July and Baronial, which is actually the 2d-most-popular season. It is a short suspension between rains, so we enjoyed mostly squeamish atmospheric condition, and it rained just a few times in the afternoon.
The rainy season is then April to June and September to November. But what is important to realize, in that location's not bad weather, only bad vesture.
#24 PACK LIGHT
When talking about the weather, we cannot skip writing a few words about packing for a chip.
Because of all the reasons mentioned higher up, you lot cannot make it in Republic of colombia wearing simply flip flops and a straw chapeau.
Earlier your trip, go through all the destinations you desire to visit. Check out our blog post Best Places to Visit in Republic of colombia to discover more inspiration.
Your itinerary will virtually likely include a scattering of beautiful colonial towns, coffee regions, mountains, and you will probably spend some time on the embankment.
For instance, we climbed the frozen Santa Isabel volcano in Los Nevados National Park, but we also stayed four days in Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean Bounding main'due south shores.
As you can encounter, yous need to pack a bit of everything.
If you desire to know more, cheque out our more detailed post: South America Packing List.
#25 IMPORTED PRODUCTS ARE EXPENSIVE
Imported stuff is expensive not but in Colombia but in general in S and Central America.
And we practice not talk well-nigh worldwide dress brands. It is another reason why packing right for your Republic of colombia trip is and then essential.
Pack right, and it will salvage you a lot of money.
#26 Yous ARE GOING TO Fall IN Dearest WITH Republic of colombia
No affair how traveling in a foreign country can be challenging, we have 1 important proclamation to say.
You are going to love Republic of colombia.
It is probably the about pregnant matter y'all need to know before visiting Republic of colombia. It volition change your life.
People, nature, history, it is all so wonderful that you won't want to get out.
And we think it is actually what traveling is all near.
Despite all the differences in life, different opinions, beliefs, traveling brings people closer.
TRAVEL Resources
Hither you lot can notice links to all the travel resource we apply and which y'all might observe helpful when planning your side by side holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we unremarkably search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although nosotros love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
Nosotros adopt GetYourGuide for its piece of cake-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another neat alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always employ Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental motorcar in accelerate.
Flying Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: Earth Nomads Travel Insurance covers confronting risks of travel.
Source: https://www.laidbacktrip.com/posts/things-to-know-before-visiting-colombia-travel
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