Colombia’s official currency is the Colombian Peso, which is then broken down into 100 centavos. Cash, especially US dollars, is best exchanged at casas de cambio, money exchange bureaus. Banks have differing policies on exchanging money. Outside of Bogota, you will have difficulty exchanging traveller’s cheques. You should also watch out for fake US dollars that are printed in Colombia. Credit cards are gaining acceptance and can usually be used at high end hotels and restaurants or travel and car rental agencies. ATMs are also increasing in number in the bigger towns, but they aren’t always secure.
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Colombia’s international country code is 57. The code used to make foreign calls varies according to what network you’re using. The entire country is well connected to the Internet. Bogota has dozens of Internet cafes around town.
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Visitors are expected to tip 10 to 15 per cent of their restaurant bill. Porters usually get around $0.50 for each bag. Taxi drivers don’t expect gratuity, but a 10 per cent tip is always appreciated. Hotels often add a 16 per cent service charge to the bill.
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Travelling to Colombia is risky, and travellers should always be highly alert of their surroundings. Domestic terrorist groups are known to target public locations like bars and restaurants, and pick pockets and drug traffickers target foreigners in urban areas. Always book taxis through your hotel and never hail them off the street. Don’t accept drinks, food, gum or cigarettes from strangers.
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Yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid vaccinations are recommended for all visitors to Colombia. You won’t need to worry about malaria in Bogota, but prevention is wise if you’re heading into the rural areas. Don’t drink tap water, unbottled drinks or drinks with ice cubes. Make sure fruits and vegetables are peeled, cooked and eaten before they cool. Don’t take a chance with undercooked meat or fish. The major cities have decent medical care, but the quality varies in the rest of the country. Carry your own medical insurance.
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The electrical current is 110 volts, 6o Hz. Both two-pinned, flat blade plus and three-pinned plugs are used.
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