Cheap flights to Colombia from $56

Colombia Travel Guide

From its ancient burial sites to skyscraper cities pulsating with Spanish-inspired beats and Cuban cuisine, wherever in Colombia your trip takes you, there will be a great story to tell. The country’s white-washed homes that hug the hillsides and its national parks are the backdrop for South America’s fourth-largest country.

Colombia has seen its share of turmoil, but it remains one of the top economic forces in South America.

Travelers visiting Colombia won’t be disappointed. There are hundreds of festivals and events throughout the year. Some of the biggest events include Carnaval de Blancos y Negros (Pasto; January), Semana Santa (Holy Week; Popayán and Mompós; March or April), Feria de las Flores (Medellín; August) and Carnaval de Barranquilla (Barranquilla; February or March).

Getting to and around Colombia

Medellin Airport:

It takes around an hour to get into the city center from Jose Maria Cordoba International Airport, which is around 40 miles away from the city itself. One of the cheapest ways to get into the city is to get the official airport bus. If you turn right as you leave the airport and walk down the path you’ll come across a white bus. It’s small and can be very crowded but it’s certainly cheaper than a taxi, and also reliable, as it runs until 9pm. If you can’t get the bus or would rather not, then the most convenient way of travel is a taxi. You can find the taxis outside of arrivals.

Bogota:

Bogota is the capital of Colombia so getting from the airport to the center of the city is relatively painless. The most convenient method of transportation is to hail a taxi. First of you’ll need to go to a stand where you’ll explain where you want to go. You’ll be given a ticket which states the price and then you can go and tell a taxi driver your destination. At the end of your journey you’ll simply have to pay the indicated fee on your ticket. The second option of choice is to get a bus. You’ll find the ‘paradero’, or bus stop, a few meters away from the entrance to the airport. The downside to getting a bus is if you’re not familiar with the city you could end up getting dropped off anywhere. It’s a huge place in which to get lost. That said, most drivers are friendly and will help you where they can.

Columbia’s urban core is pedestrian-friendly and taxicabs can be found near the hotels and waterfront. Although the city has a decent bus system, it is scheduled and routed to meet the needs of local citizens; tourist destinations are not well-served. Many tourists choose to rent a car, particularly if planning to visit the city’s surrounding parklands.

Domestic flights are the most convenient and also the safest way to get around the country. Colombia has one of the best developed airline networks of all South American countries.

Be cautious with all other types of transport. There is no train service in the country, but there are various different types of bus and taxis that service all the main towns. Check the route you plan to travel before you set off and secure all your possessions.

For a bit of adventure, take a cargo boat along the Magdalena River. This is a slow way to travel, but offers views of the country you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.

Tips for your stay in Colombia

• Before traveling anywhere in Colombia it is vital that you check the travel advice and warnings. Take extra special care of your possessions when traveling, avoid travelling at night if possible, and always make sure that the route you plan to take has not been subject to attacks from bandits in recent months. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance, which includes all types of theft.
• Bogota is a vibrant city, but one that can feel daunting to the tourist on arrival. To get oriented, head to the central Plaza Bolivar in the heart of the historical part of town. Named after Simon Bolivar, the square contains his statue, as well as the Justice Palace, the National Capitol and the Primate Cathedral. Visit the sights, or just relax on one of the benches.
• The coastal walled city of Cartagena is more picturesque, with brightly painted buildings and numerous avenues and villas. The old city wall remains in place round most of the old town and you can walk along it. The views of the sea and the city are impressive. The modern part of the town, Bocagrande, has most of the hotels and also the beaches.
• The Ciudad Perdida in Sierra Nevada translates to “The Lost City.” It was built between the 11th and 14th centuries and discovered only in 1972. The city is made up of more than 150 terraces that have been carved into the mountainside. The city can only be accessed by a substantial trek (at least six days). The trek itself is tiring, but there are chances to stop along the way, admire the views and swim in the occasional waterfall.
• English is understood to some extent in most tourist regions, but speaking at least a little Spanish is essential. Learn basic greetings as a minimum for courtesy—as long as you are polite and friendly, everything else can be mimed if necessary. For travel outside tourist areas, Spanish is essential.

Finding Flights from Colombia

When it’s time to leave beautiful and friendly Colombia, with arguably the best coffee in the world, it’s easy to chart the next leg of your journey by using the Cheapflight “find deal” search engine.

Bogota is a huge city when you consider that the only North American cities larger than Bogota are Mexico City and New York City. It takes about 20 minutes from downtown to get to El Dorado International Airport (IATA: BOG) via taxi when traffic is good.

The taxis in Bogota are regulated, making fares reasonably priced and safe. You order a taxi at a stand, pointing out your destination. A ticket is printed with the price for the ride. Once you pick up a taxi and arrive at the airport, you only pay the price printed on the ticket. The typical range for a taxi is COP20,000 up to COP35,000, or approximately $7 to $12 in U.S. currency.

Another safe and convenient way to the airport is via the sophisticated bus rapid transit (BRT) system that runs directly to the airport along El Dorado Avenue. However, the system is limited to those with “small luggage.”

Choose a private transportation company such as Moveco or Tedecol with easy online scheduling for a comfortable and reliable trip to the airport.

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