Awakened from a decade-long sleep of beauty, hardly any other country is home to so many attractions. There is something magical about Colombia. Anyone who takes a trip to Colombia is quickly seduced by the country’s cheerful charm and usually wants to stay longer. Between wonderfully fragrant coffee plantations, turquoise-blue Andean lagoons and heavenly white Caribbean beaches, the holiday feeling sets in immediately.
Andean Mountains, UNESCO World Heritage and Caribbean mentality
Colombia combines untouched nature with one of the world’s greatest biodiversity and a picture-perfect legacy from the colonial era. There are numerous national parks and places protected by UNESCO such as Cartagena and the old town of Mompox. Animals like pink flamingos, majestic Andean condors, wild jaguars, alien-looking armadillos and many more have their home in the different altitudes of the country.
Travel information in brief
Travel time
Colombia can be visited all year round. The temperatures fluctuate very little. However, there are also “short” dry and rainy seasons. The Andes and the Caribbean coast in particular are affected twice a year. The dry seasons in these regions fall from December to March and June to August. It doesn’t really rain much in the rainy season, because on the Caribbean coast there is a lot of rain. For example, the trade winds ensure that precipitation remains low. In the western Andes, on the other hand, it can rain a little heavier.
Currency / money
In Colombia, the peso Colombiano (COP or $) is used to pay. With a German bank card (Maestro), money can be withdrawn from ATMs in most cities. This is usually also possible with credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa. A credit card is an advantage because there are no exchange or withdrawal fees abroad. We always recommend having some cash with you (approx. 20-25% of the travel budget). In Colombia it can happen that an ATM does not issue any money or withdraw the bank card.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination is recommended when traveling to Colombia. There is potential for exposure in the areas below 2,300 meters. Proof of the yellow fever vaccination is not required when entering from Germany. If you travel on to a third country, you may be required to have a yellow fever vaccination. The Federal Foreign Office also recommends completing the standard vaccinations such as tetanus, influenza, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), possibly also mumps, measles, rubella and pneumococci. Please consult your doctor in good time.
Visa / entry
German citizens need a passport to enter Colombia, which must be valid for 6 months upon arrival. A visa is not required. Tourists are allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days. When entering the airport in Bogotá, the length of stay is determined by a stamp of the immigration authorities in the passport. It is recommended to present the exit ticket to the border official upon arrival and to ensure that sufficient days are noted in the passport. Please note the provisions of the Federal Foreign Office.
Colombia – destined to stay
When traveling to Colombia, you may well want to stay afterwards. Because Colombia is more diverse than any other country in South America. Colombia combines geographical and cultural contrasts, between the Andes, the Amazon and the Caribbean. In Colombia there are almost all climates from hot to cold, depending on the altitude. In the Andes you can z. Take, for example, panoramic hikes to turquoise-blue lagoons surrounded by mountains over 5,000 meters high. Wild animals want to be observed in the Amazon. And on the Caribbean coast you can relax wonderfully in tropical warm temperatures. The country unites all ecosystems in the world, with an extremely large variety of flora and fauna – over 1,800 species of birds live here!
Tourism has only found its way into Colombia in the last few years. And that’s exactly what makes the country so incredibly interesting. Marked by a negative image of the security situation and local drugs, some holidaymakers have not dared to visit the country in the past. But these difficult times are out of date. It is certainly true that visits to border areas in the country are particularly discouraged. However, there are so many other regions in Colombia that make a safe journey in the magical land possible. We know that because we made our own picture on site. Our guests usually feel safe on vacation in Colombia and come back home satisfied, relaxed and full of new, positive impressions about the diverse flora and fauna and the friendly people in the country.
Yes, we have to admit that most travelers in Colombia come into contact with drugs. But don’t worry, we’re talking about freshly roasted coffee from the beautiful plantations and juicy, delicious fruit cocktails on the beach on the Caribbean coast near Cartagena. What was once seen as a disadvantage is now the richest treasure in South America. Because Colombia is today the most authentic country on the South American continent due to its long break from tourism. You can look for a long time here for places overrun by tourists. Because they are (still) as good as nonexistent. Now is the time to explore Colombia. The locals are full of hospitality and give every visitor a warm welcome. Nothing is staged here, everything is real.
Whether you take a trip to the Tatacoa Desert, which is reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Take a trip to the Cocora palm valley with its huge wax palms. Or go to the Caribbean coast with its white sandy beaches. There is so much to discover in Colombia. And you want to get to know the extremely friendly people in the country.
Clearly, a special highlight is the Zona Cafetera, the coffee zone in Colombia. This is where the black gold is produced, the tastiest coffee in the world. On beautifully landscaped coffee plantations, you can spend the night in the rural fincas and experience coffee cultivation live. To be woken up in the morning by the aromatic, mild scent of the coffee you have picked yourself is a truly pleasant feeling.
Medellín and Bogotá are the most important cities in Colombia. A visit to the two metropolises and their surroundings is worthwhile. Not far from Bogotá is the place Zipaquirá, where one of the most beautiful salt cathedrals can be admired deep underground. Villa Leyva and Salento are iconic Colombian locations. They enchant with their beautiful buildings and the colonial ambience. In Medellín, the massive statues of the artist Boteros catch the eye. In the area you can really relax with the wonderful flower culture.
And in the places protected by UNESCO, such as the archaeological park San Augustín or Cartagena, with its port and monuments from the colonial era, there are great historical treasures to discover. For nature lovers and culture enthusiasts, Colombia is undoubtedly worth a visit. We are planning your next dream vacation to Colombia. The country with its warm hosts awaits you longingly!
