Probably the most important thing you can do before coming to Colombia, besides reading as much as you can about the country, is to brush up on your espanol. There are very few English speakers in Colombia. Even people important to you - hotel receptionists, tour guides and travel agents - will probably only speak Spanish.
Traveling outside the main cities can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. There is a range of accommodations suiting everyone, from cheapskates to high rollers. Food is good, plentiful and cheap. Transportation is reasonably efficient, main roads are well-maintained and serviced frequently by air-conditioned buses. There's also a range of activities for every age and taste, from candle-lit dinners in romantic Cartagena to hard-core alpine trekking in Parque Nacional El Cocuy. Flexibility is crucial, but making hotel reservations is also a good idea, especially for the first couple of nights after you arrive. Always check the security situation if you plan to visit very remote regions, which are likely to be sensitive military or rebel-held areas.
When to go
The most pleasant time to visit Colombia is in the dry season, between December and March or in July and August. This is particularly true if you plan on hiking. The dry season also gives visitors a better chance to savour local cultural events because many festivals and fiestas take place during these periods.
Apart from the weather, you may also consider Colombian holiday periods. There are basically three high seasons when Colombians rush to travel: from late December to mid-January, during Semana Santa (Holy Week; March or April), and from mid-June to mid-July. Also take note of three-day weekends, which send a rush of urban dwellers to rural getaways (eg Villa de Leyva), and regional celebrations (eg Baranquilla de Carnaval). During these periods transport gets more crowded, hotels tend to fill up faster and prices in holiday destinations may rise. If you travel at this time, you will have to plan your trip a little ahead and do more legwork to find a place to stay, but you'll also enjoy more contact with traveling Colombians, who will be in a relaxed, holiday spirit.
What to take
- Maximum-protection sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A light rain jacket and sweater/fleece jacket for Bogota and the mountains
- A decent change of clothing and a pair of nice shoes for clubbing
- A small flashlight (for Tierradentro tombs and dodgy electricity supplies)
Right there. When you're in need.
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