Colombia Entering Rules

Entry:
Since April 20, 2009, Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Colombia if the period of stay in the country does not exceed 90 days. All necessary formalities are carried out at the airport. Requirements for passports: the validity of the passport must be at least 3 months at the time of entry into the country, as well as the presence of at least 3 blank pages in the passport. There are no restrictions on movement around the country for Russian citizens with general civil, service and diplomatic passports, with the exception of areas of warfare. To apply for a visa (if the period of stay in the country exceeds 90 days), the following documents are required: a passport with a validity period of at least 3 months at the time of submission of documents, a hotel reservation or an invitation, a photocopy of an air ticket, a copy of the first page of the passport, a questionnaire and 3 photos. The term for issuing a visa by the embassy is from 3 to 10 working days. Consular fee for citizens of Russia – 17 USD.

Citizens of the CIS countries to visit Colombia require a visa, which is issued at the consular department of the Embassy of Colombia in Moscow. Required documents: international passport, the validity of which is not less than 3 months at the time of submission of documents, the presence of at least 3 blank pages in the passport; 3 color photographs 3×3 cm; questionnaire; certificate from the place of work on the letterhead of the organization indicating the position and salary, round-trip air tickets.

If the child travels with one of the parents, it is necessary to provide a notarized permission to leave from the other parent. The Consular Section of the Colombian Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents and call the applicant for an interview. The term for issuing a visa is from 7 to 15 working days. The cost of a visa for citizens of the CIS countries is 40 USD.

Flight: from 16 hours + time for connection (depending on the schedule of the airline)

Customs rules:
Import and export of national and foreign currencies is not limited. The import of non-canned foodstuffs is prohibited. The import and export without special permission of objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value is prohibited.
The export of wool and leather products, jewelry, local souvenirs is allowed, while you need to present a receipt from the store where these products were purchased. When exporting jewelry (Colombia is one of the largest exporters of emeralds), a receipt of purchase and an export stamp are required.

Tipping:
Tipping in bars and restaurants is usually 10-15% depending on the level and location of the institution. Tips in hotels, hairdressers are often already included in the bill. Taxi drivers don’t usually expect tips, but it’s a good idea to leave them up to 10% of the fare

Safety:
To ensure personal safety when traveling around the country, it is usually recommended not to leave the city, especially at night, and also not to travel around the country on evening (night) buses. When traveling around the city in the evening, it is better to use the services of officially licensed taxis. All crowded places and street demonstrations should be avoided. Drugs, especially cocaine and its derivatives, are freely distributed throughout the country, so “gifts” from strangers in the form of drinks or cigarettes should be avoided at all costs, as they can be loaded with narcotic substances or “borracero” – a sedative drug often used to put the victim to sleep for the purpose of robbery.
It is not recommended to carry large sums of money, clothes and personal belongings should not be left unattended, and it is also recommended to refrain from visiting slum areas. Do not leave money and jewelry in the room (hotels are not responsible for the safety of things in the rooms) – for this purpose, special safes are provided at the hotel administrator. Be careful when using ATMs – there are cases of robbery or pickpocketing near them (thieves spy on the entered PIN code and steal the card). In general, the level of violent crime is low.

Medicine:
Immunization against cholera, hepatitis A, B and D, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, tetanus and measles is recommended for all tourists traveling outside the main cities of the country.
Drink only bottled water and pasteurized milk.
When traveling to the Amazon basin, you should take measures against yellow fever (vaccination), take care of malaria pills, repellents, sunscreen and sportswear, and in case of a bite and signs of illness (fever, dizziness, headaches and dry mouth), you should seek immediate medical attention.

Electricity:
In Colombia, the mains voltage is 110V. Type of socket “American”. In order to use electricity, you must have an inverter from 110V to 220V and an adapter.

Souvenirs from Colombia:
Ceramic paintings– These are a kind of three-dimensional paintings that are created by craftsmen from specially made clay. Leather sculptures – Colombian artisans are famous all over the world for their unique sculptures, which are made of leather only by hand. Glass paintings are created by applying special paints to glass. Each such picture is unique, because both the glass itself and its painting are carried out by the master independently from beginning to end. Jute products (baskets, caskets, plates, vases). Colombian balconies in miniature. In fact, the art of creating such balconies is unique, as it is not found almost anywhere else. Colombian coffee, which is famous all over the world for its aroma and taste. The most famous and best coffee varieties are: Cafe Esmeralda, Cafe Quindio, Huila Excelso, Colombia Excelco, Oma and Juan Valdez.

Colombian hammock. In stores you can find single and double hammocks of various shapes and colors. Such hammocks are made only from natural cotton and wood.
Colombian emerald jewelry. Since Colombia is the world’s largest miner of emeralds, such jewelry is not expensive. It is Colombian emeralds that are considered the most beautiful and high quality. The sampogno is a two-row, multi-barreled flute made of reed, wood, or bone. Such a flute has long been used by local indigenous people at various festivities and festivals. You can buy it at any gift shop.