Vaccination for yellow fever.

The authorities, travel agencies, migration centres or tour operators ARE NOT OBLIGED to require this vaccine from foreign tourists.

In any case, if you come from abroad, check if your country ask for it to visit Colombia or any other South American country.

Travel recommendations for the Amazon.

Here you will explore one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world.

• Don’t forget to keep in mind the entrance taxes to Leticia ($11 USD) and Puerto Nariño ($5 USD).
• Have your yellow fever vaccination card in hand: remember that it must be taken at least 15 days before your trip. You can get it at the airport in Bogota at the Port Health Centre (El Dorado Airport International Dock Door No. 0). Free of charge at health centres (it’s NOT MANDATORY).
• Bring light luggage, pack everything in plastic bags to avoid humidity.

Clothing

As clothing, we recommend you to bring:

• light-coloured cotton clothes
• denim or nautical trousers
• long-sleeved shirts, hat or cap, swimsuit
• tennis shoes and comfortable shoes
• waterproof jacket.

Items.

As additional items bring:

• A torch with spare batteries
• Sunscreen
• A medium towel, preferably a quick-drying one.
• A small backpack for daily activities.
• Carry money in local currency (Colombian peso, COP) and in small notes, as it is not possible to make digital transactions.
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Important

• In water activities such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Avoid carrying cameras, mobile phones, video cameras and jewellery, these items are on your own responsibility.
• It is important that you carry mosquito repellent (we recommend mixing NOPIQUEX soap with menticol and the tobacco from 3 cigarettes, mix very well and in two days when the tobacco has released all its essence, filter it and add Johnson oil to apply on clothes and body).
• You can buy rubber boots at our destination (between $7 USD and $10 USD) or rent them ($2 USD per day).
• Shake well your shoes (boots or tennis shoes) before putting them to avoid accidents.
• If you are taking medication do not forget to bring it along with a copy of the medical prescription, if you have any medical treatment or have any allergies detected, let our advisors know in advance, as well as the guides and the experience coordinator when you arrive at the destination.
• Also let us know if you have any dietary or food allergies.
• Do not throw trash in the national natural parks or visited places, take it back to the city or deposit it in the appropriate places (bins or take it to the hotel).
• It is important to have expert local guides to maximise the experience and understand the importance of conservation in this region.

Travel recommendations for La Guajira.

Elements:

• Sunscreen.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunglasses.
• Container to carry water.
• Towel for personal use.
• Small backpack for use during outings.
• Personal toiletries.
• Carry money in local currency (Colombian peso, COP) and low denomination banknotes, there may be low data coverage.

Documents:

• Passport for foreigners.
• Identity card or citizenship card if you are a resident.
• Health insurance card.
• Clothing:
• Lightweight or synthetic, quick-drying, light-coloured clothing.
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts.
• Closed-toed shoes that are comfortable for walking and easy to dry.
• Extra sandals.
• Lightweight mackintosh.
• Dress or swimwear.
• Lightweight mackintosh.
• Hat or cap.
• Scarf, pashmina or face shield to protect you from the sun and sand.

Health:

• If you’re going to take the Yellow Fever shot, please do it 15 days before travel (Not mandatory).
• Tetanus vaccine (recommended).
• If you take specific medications, take them with you with a copy of the prescription.
• A personal first-aid kit is not necessary.

Things to keep in mind:

• During your journey through La Guajira you will encounter “human tolls”, where you will find children along the way, who with ropes, will try to block the way so the vehicle stops and they start asking for “water” or “biscuits”. It is important that if you are going to offer them something, please avoid to bring candy or ultra-processed products (canned foods or snacks), as these alter the delicate and balanced diet that they manage in their community.
• Regarding safety, it is VERY IMPORTANT you do the tours with certified guides and transport companies who are registered.
• Do not try to do any tour on your own, even if you have your own vehicle, the communities only allow access to caravans and members of their own community, sometimes in restricted schedules.
• Do not drive through the territory at night either, as your safety is not guaranteed and keep in mind is a big desert with no road signals.

Travel recommendations for the Coffee Region.

This region offers mountain landscapes, coffee plantations, a rich biodiversity and amusement parks, being a busy and popular destination, you do not require much preparation for this palce, so keep in mind the basics:

• Wear comfortable and light clothing.
• Appropriate footwear for hiking.
• Sunscreen.
• Sunglasses.
• Binoculars.

Travel recommendations for the Andes mountain range and moors (Bogotá and Cundinamarca).

It includes all our high and mountainous areas of the country, such as the city of Bogota, which has an average altitude of 2600 meters above sea level, along with tourist destinations that can reach up to 3600 meters above sea level.

So it is important that you acclimatize first before going to perform these activities (minimum 2 days) because the altitude can affect your breathing due to the low oxygen level.

As they are usually cold climates or there are large cities, you can come with basic luggage such as:

• Comfortable shoes or tennis shoes for walking around the cities.
• Shoes with good grip for hiking.
• Comfortable clothes for walking.
• Jacket in case of rain.
• Sun block lotion.
• Binoculars.

Travel recommendations for Santa Marta and Tayrona Park.

Santa Marta, located on the north coast of Colombia, has an average warm tropical climate of 28°C-30°C, this region offers an incredible combination of Caribbean beaches and mountains with a high biodiversity.

Services:

• Tax for entrance to Tayrona.
  – Low season: Nationals $7 USD, foreigners $9 USD.
  – High season: Nationals $6 USD, foreigners $11 USD.
• You can go to the park on horseback (additional cost and you go by another road), or by boat (additional cost, keep in mind that the waves are strong).
• Inside the park there are meals and drinks.
• You can hire additional activities or services (tent rental, or snorkeling).

What to bring:

• Comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Dress or swimming shorts.
• Cap.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Binoculars.
• Cash.

Closures of the natural park:

The indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada, organize periodically to do a complete cleaning of the park, not only of garbage but also to discharge the energies of visitors and allow the fauna and flora to oxygenate. Keep in mind that the closures for this 2024 will be the following:

• February 1 to 15.
• From June 1 to June 15.
• October 19 to November 2.

Travel recommendations for Nuquí.

• Be at the airport at least one hour before each flight, with original IDs (passport, Visa, etc).
• To travel it is mandatory to present original identity documents for both adults and children.
• The baggage allowance is 10 kilos in the hold and 5 kilos in hand luggage due to the type of aircraft being used.
• If you arrive at the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro to take the connection to Nuquí you must take into account the transfer time to the Olaya Herrera Airport, which is 50 minutes by cab and costs approximately $9 USD.
• No vaccinations are required to travel.
• When arriving in Nuquí wear shorts and sandals because we will travel by boat to the hotel and disembark on the beach.
• Carry money in local currency (Colombian peso, COP) and low denomination bills, since it is not possible to make digital transactions.
• We recommend wearing comfortable, quick-drying clothes, covered shoes, flashlight with rechargeable batteries, raincoat, sunscreen.
• Bring prescribed medications.
• In case of bringing any type of polluting material such as plastic or glass containers, snacks packaging, etc., we kindly ask you to bring them back to their place of origin in order to protect the ecosystem and avoid contamination on the beaches.
• In Nuquí we do not have any electronic means of payment so we recommend bringing cash and low denomination.
• The only cell phone coverage is Claro.

Travel recommendations for Caño Cristales.

• The use of hallucinogens and alcoholic beverages on excursions is prohibited.
• Carry local currency (Colombian peso, COP) of low denomination.
• Carry a plastic container that is not disposable and return it to the hotel or your initial destination at the end of the excursion.
• The use of repellents and sunscreen is prohibited.
• Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, easy-drying clothes (no jeans).

Travel recommendations for San Andres and Providencia.

Destinations located in the Colombian Caribbean are ideal for those looking to explore coral reefs and enjoy paradisiacal beaches.

• Light clothing.
• Comfortable shoes.
• Dress or swimming shorts.
• Cap.
• Sunglasses.
• Sun block.
• Binoculars.
• Cash.

Entrance card:

For 2024 the entrance tax to San Andres is $35 USD, keep this value in mind in your travel budget.