Colombia Travel Tips & Tricks
Before Flying
Ensure that you possess all necessary documentation and complete your online information submission through the "Check MiG" platform at least 72 hours prior to your flight.
Link: https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en
After landing the customs line can take over 2 hours so plan accordingly and pack snacks!
Transportation
Uber works in Colombia! The price difference is $1 USD more than the taxis.
Order Uber comfort vs economy. The economy is not worth it for the drivers so they might not show up
The taxi is really cheap but you have to tell the drivers where you’re going in Spanish. You can pull it up on your maps GPS and show them. They only take pesos. To get around the city should be around 10,000 to 20,000 pesos.
Some locations might not have numerical addresses so familiarize yourself with the plazas/ hotels/ landmarks so you can get dropped off there and walk
The taxi and Uber drivers know all the plazas.
Currency Exchange
If you are exchanging currency do it at the Colombian airport or in the city for a better exchange rate
Check to see if your credit card provider has international exchange fees. If they don’t, it’s better to pay using a credit card at establishments. You can exchange some money for taxis and street vendors but most establishments take credit cards.
Food Safety
For the first few days avoid ice in beverages and street food (don’t want to you be sick at the wedding!)
PLEASE PLEASE only drink bottled water, tap water in Colombia is going to make you sick. It’s cheaper to buy cases at the local grocery store (the most common grocery store is Exito).
Order bottled water at restaurants (agua de botella).
Pack medications like Imedion and Pepto Bismol.
Restaurants
Non-breakfast spots don’t open until after 12 p.m.
The service pace is a lot slower than we’re used to in the States so come with time on your hands.
Most bills at restaurants include tips.
Language
Cartagena is a tourist city but Spanish is the main language. You can use the Google Translate app to communicate with all the vendors they’re are used to it.
Miscellaneous
When you arrive at the airport people are going to try to help with your bags if you let them you will have to tip them
Check your international data plan!
The bathrooms are labeled differently than the States if it doesn’t have the icons. H for hombre(men) or M for mujer (women)
Horse carriage rides are usually 50k pesos but they’ll try to sell for 70 don’t be scared to haggle even with the street vendors.
Ignore the annoying rapping street performers (if you don’t want to pay them) if they get too aggressive yell at them in a different language and they’ll stop. Tested by Nadia :)