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Roasting Colombian coffee beans

Colombia travel advice

Practical Information

A trip to Colombia could combine the Caribbean jewel of Cartagena, the cosmopolitan city of Bogotá, the historic Villa De Leyva, the resplendent coffee plantations and some Amazon adventure on the border with Peru and Brazil.

We can arrange interesting and exciting excursions, fabulous boutique hotels and knowledgeable local guides.

Language

The official language is Spanish, English is spoken in the main tourist areas and larger cities.

Food and drink

The nearest Colombia gets to a national dish is the "bandeja paisa" ("Paisa platter"). It consists of white rice, red beans, ground beef, sausage, plantain, morcilla, chicharron, arepa, avocado and a fried egg. To drink, Colombia is world-renowned for its coffee and its rum. Another favorite is Aguardiente which is a variation of the Spanish alcoholic drink "Anís".

Tipping

Tipping for good service is an accepted fact. Amounts are obviously discretionary and tipping for good service is an accepted fact.

Money

The Colombian currency is the peso. Automatic cash dispensers are widespread, especially in the major cities. Most machines take all credit cards, as well as Cirrus and Plus cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, as are bank debit cards.

Travel Advice

Our certified country specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the State Department website.

When to go to Colombia

You'll find temperature and rainfall information, together with a month-by-month guide on visiting, on our guide for when to go to Colombia.

More Information

  • Flight Time
    12 hours upwards dependent on airline (New York to Bogotá)

  • Time Zone
    UTC -5