| Colombia ((es)Colombia) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Bogotá |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 141 748 km² |
| Population | 46 591 147 hab. (2012) |
| Density | 40,81 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | Republic |
| Other languages | Spanish |
| Change | Colombian peso (COP) |
| Religions | Catholicism 90% |
| Electricity | 110 V/60 Hz |
| Telephone prefix | 57 |
| Internet suffix | .co |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC-5 |
| Location | |
 4 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ N 74 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
The Colombia, in long form Republic of Colombia, is a country ofSouth America, frontier of Venezuela, of Brazil, of Peru, of the'Ecuador and Panama.
Understand
Geography
Colombia is rather mountainous with the Andes Cordillera which crosses the country from southwest to northeast, but you can also find vast plains such as Los Llanos Orientales. Much of Colombia is covered with forests, the majority of which is the Amazon. The country has maritime coasts with the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean coast, and the Pacific Ocean. Moreover, the Atlantic coast includes the highest coastal mountain range in the world: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with an altitude of 5 775 m just 42 km from the Caribbean Sea. The country also has many volcanoes, some of which are still active, and two desert regions: La Guajira in the north and the Tatacoa desert in the south.
Weather
Colombia has a tropical and isothermal climate. Temperatures vary little throughout the year, regardless of the region concerned.
The diversity of climates in Colombia is characterized by humid tropical forest climates, savannas, steppes, deserts and an alpine climate, the latter divided into tierra caliente (hot earth) tierra templada (temperate earth) tierra fria (cold earth), tierra helada (frozen earth) and páramo (humid tropical ecosystem).
History
Colombia is one of three countries created after the fall of the Gran Colombia in 1830 (the other two being Ecuador and Venezuela). Its name was given to it by Simon Bolivar, the leader of Colombian independence against the Spaniards (obtained in 1819), in honor of who discovered it, Christopher Columbus.
Marxist-communist-inspired far-left guerrillas have fought for more than 50 years to seize power in the country, originally to break an understanding between the only two parties of the time that shared power ( the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party) and introduce social reform in the country. The FARC-EP (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejército del Pueblo ; in French "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army") and the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional ; in French "Army of National Liberation") today make up the last two guerrillas still in activity (others have disappeared, like the M-19). However, these two groups have now lost their ideals and their struggle is now partly funded by drug trafficking money and ransoms. But, even if some areas are still under their control, the guerrillas lack the military power and popular support necessary to overthrow the government.
Far-right "anti-rebellion" paramilitary armed groups emerged in the 1960s to fight against Marxist guerrillas. Originally created by the large landowners to protect themselves against them (who wish to distribute the land to the peasants), these paramilitary groups united in the 1990s to form the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and develop the production and trafficking of cocaine in the country. The paramilitaries are also used by large multinationals to expel peasants from their land (in particular on the Pacific coast) and thus set up the cultivation of palm oil which is used for the production of bio-fuel. Thus, more than 3.5 million people have the status of displaced persons and gather in the poor neighborhoods of large cities, in particular Bogotá. These groups are responsible for forced displacement in the years 1990/2000. Several political scandals have also revealed links between former Colombian President Uribe, the military and the paramilitaries (since their interest in fighting the FARC is similar).
At present (2019), the majority of tourist areas have been secured, land travel is quite possible in the northern half of the country. Big cities are also safe, although they still experience large gaps between rich and poor populations. The areas to be visited with more caution are the Pacific coast and the South more generally.
Since November 2012, the President of the Republic Juan Manuel Santos has started a peace dialogue with the FARC in Havana (Cuba). Negotiations are still ongoing, but have already enabled historic advances, which suggests a comprehensive peace agreement that could end a 50-year internal war in the country.
Population
Colombia's population is approximately 46,591,147 (2012 estimate). It is estimated that three quarters of the country's population lives near the coast (between 0 and 100 km)
Regions
.png/450px-Colombia_regions_map_(fr).png) Colombia Map |
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Cities
- 1 Bogotá
- 2 Barranquilla
- 3 Cali
- 4 Cartagena
- 5 Cucúta
- 6 Leticia
- 7 Medellin
- 8 San Agustín
- 9 Santa Marta
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Other destinations
- Pereira-Manizales-Armenia (Coffee Zone)
- San Gil-Barichara-Bucaramanga (Santander)
- The Pacific Coast (Choco)
- La Guajira
- Colombian national parks
Colombia offers dozens of destinations, each more exotic than the next: from the tropical paradise of Tayrona Park (near Santa Marta) to the snow-capped peaks of Cocuy (Boyaca) via the deserts of Guajira and Tatacoa or the colonial cities (such as Cartagena, Villa de Leyva or Popayan), there is something for everyone.
To go
Formalities
- Colombia
- National ID card
- Visa exemption
- Visa required
Visitors must obtain a Visa in order to be able to enter Colombia with the exception of citizens of the countries identified in blue and gold above. Citizens of identified countries can enter with an identity card instead of a passport.
Visitors receive a 90-day entry permit which can be extended for an additional 90 days, for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. For a longer period you must apply for a visa. Since December 15, 2017, there are 3 different types of visas; Visitors (V), Migrants (M), Residents (R).
The Canadians must pay a tax to enter Colombia, except those under the age of 14 years old and more than 79 years old. The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Calina is excluded. The tax is in the amount of 160 000 COP which must be paid directly to the customs authorities at the point of entry.
In addition, visitors to the China, of the'India, of the Thailand and Vietnam who have a valid visa issued by United States or theSchengen area also do not need a visa.
Citizens of Bangladesh, of Cuba, of Ghana and some Somalia need a transit visa in order to travel to Colombia.
By plane
Air France offers a direct flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle / Bogotá. From the rest of Latin America, Bogotá is very well served; Taca in particular offers many flights to and from Lima, Quito and San Jose.
Cartagena is connected to Panamá City with Copa Airlines. Know that financially, it can be very interesting to leave for Colombia not from Paris but from ... Madrid! Companies Avianca and Iberia offer regular flights at attractive prices.
Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines also offer flights from Paris with 1 or 2 stopovers on American soil.
There is an exemption from the country's exit tax for tourists. To do this, you have to go through the DIAN office which is located in the departure hall.
The tourist visa (90 days) is free and obtained directly on arrival at the airport in Colombia.
On a boat
It is possible to get to Cartagena by boat from Panama (and vice versa: leave Cartagena to go to Panama), via the San Blas Islands. It is only small private boats that make the trip, without any recognition whatsoever as "tourist transport". Nothing therefore protects the user, neither from theft nor from the rest. And the problems are frequent, even if all the crews are not necessarily dishonest ... Not to be recommended unless the boat you are about to take has been strongly recommended by tourists who have just taken it a few days before ( and it is important that they are tourists, to avoid having to deal with potential touts)
By train
To come to Colombia by train, you will have to wait a few centuries ... The rail system simply does not exist. Only one line connects Bogotá to the coastal city of Santa Marta, but it is reserved for freight trains. The total absence of a rail system makes traffic on the country's roads often unusually dense.
By bus
Despite the bad reputation that road travel in Colombia has, it is however largely possible to travel this way, provided you find out in advance about the route, the areas crossed, and the activity of the guerrillas to reduce the risk of a bad encounter. It should be noted that on the majority of the axes taken by the transport companies, the presence of the army constitutes a dissuasive and real presence. The possibilities for travel by bus and coach are endless, and bus stations are as busy as airports in some cities across the country. The services offered are very varied: it is advisable to favor companies that are well established, such as BOLIVARIANO, BERLINAS, COPETRAN or EXPRESO BRASILIAThe buses are modern, very comfortable (armchair with cushion, adjustable in lying position and projection of films). However, remember to bring a blanket (the air conditioning is often too strong), and possibly balls - who is.
For example, a Bogotá-Cartagena bus trip lasts around 20 h, for a cost of 50 € about. Stops are frequent. Avoid tourist behavior (such as taking out the camera at each village you cross, and especially showing yourself as a foreigner by talking or by lack of discretion). city to another within the same department), you can also take BUSETAS (a kind of minibus with sometimes basic comfort) for an even more economical price. Keep in mind, however, that Colombian roads are strewn with hollows and bumps, and that on this more modest type of transport, you may experience the "slapstick" throughout your trip! The big advantage of traveling by bus is to be able to admire the magnificent landscapes of Colombia. The descent from Bogotá towards the interior of the country is of pure beauty (lovers of mountain landscapes, you will be served!)
In any case, don't hesitate to negotiate the prices, especially if you are more than one: here are some price ideas from Bogotá (in Pesos)
- Santa Marta: $ 70,000 (officially $ 100,000)
- Bucaramanga: $ 40,000 (officially $ 60,000)
When it comes to crossing the border, with Ecuador or Venezuela, strongly favor day trips. In any case, most of the border posts close at night.
By car
Attention for the adventurers of the Pan-American road!
There is currently no road connection between Panama and Colombia. Do not try to cross the border through the forest because the risks of attack or of getting lost are serious!
Circulate
The best way to travel in Colombia is by bus (see the category "by bus" in the previous section). It is also possible to travel by car of course, but it is not recommended outside the cities for reasons of security. Likewise, traffic in the city is very dense overall and Colombians do not respect priorities (on the right, pedestrians, etc.). So a lot of caution is needed if you want to drive or cycle in town!
Regarding taxis, it is advisable to call them by phone rather than taking them in the street. Apart from Bogotá where they are equipped with meters, it is preferable to ask / negotiate the price of the trip before getting in the taxi in other Colombian cities. Regarding buses, every major city has its own urban bus system and all have BUSETAS with prices around $ 1600 each way. Medellín also has an additional skytrain.
Speak
The Spanish spoken in Colombia has an incomparable charm. The intonation and phrasing are very clear and characteristic. Colombians have an easily understandable Spanish, even if they like some small slams or variations of vocabulary specific to their country ...
For example :
- Qué hubo? (pronounced kiubo) = How are you? (Relatively familiar)
- Chévere, Tan Chévere, Cheverisimo, cheverisisimo, etc. :): Great, great, great
- Bacano = same as above
- Mi hijo (pronounced mijo) = friendly term (used mostly by traders :) (literally: son)
- Dar papaya (literally "give the papaya") tempt the devil by attracting the lusts of thieves or anyone else interested in harming you (showing off a gold watch in a neighborhood where thieves lurk, "eso es dar papaya!")
- Qué mamera! = what laziness, what fatigue!
- Papacito! (handsome) Mamacita! (pretty girl)
- a tinto = a black coffee
Buy
The official currency is the Peso, often abbreviated as $ or Col $. The US dollar is often accepted.
ATMs are widely available in all cities, but often limit withdrawals to Col $ 400,000. Those from CityBank allow higher withdrawals (up to Col $ 600,000).
It is advisable to visit the popular craft markets ("Artesanias"). They are found in every big city as well as in tourist villages. The Artesanias of Cartagena are very famous and will satisfy lovers of popular art and very "local" souvenirs. What to bring back from Colombia? Hand-woven hammocks (magnificent), imitations of pre-Columbian art statuettes or inspired by BOTERO, “guayavera” shirts (typical of the Caribbean coast), a “vueltiao” sombrero (hat of the coast and national emblem), leather objects (the quality of Colombian leather is extraordinary), shoes, molas (decorative fabrics), a "mochila" (typical Colombian bag), ... The Artesanias of Bogotá, located near Bolívar Square in the historic city center (la Candelaria) are also very interesting to visit. Be careful, however, not to venture there after 19 h, the neighborhood is less safe after dark.
Otherwise, it may be interesting to visit the "San Andresito", a sort of shopping maze swarming with people. In a San Andresito, you can find everything, absolutely everything, at very attractive prices. If you want to venture there, bring a Colombian regular with you to negotiate. Not that these places are risky (traders make sure to watch for the slightest attempted theft so as not to jeopardize the reputation of the place), but because no price is displayed, your status as a foreigner can be worth you to pay. the high price.
Eat
The typical dish of the Bogotá region is AJIACO, a soup mixing three varieties of potatoes, pieces of chicken, corn, sour cream and capers. The city of Medellín specializes in "Bandeja Paisa", a dish of minced meat served with rice, red beans, a non-spicy blood sausage called "chorizo", an egg, slices of fried bananas ("patacones") and an avocado. Colombian bread consists of small corn cakes called "AREPAS". On the coast, seafood specialties are numerous, in particular "CAZUELA" a kind of Caribbean bouillabaisse, to taste absolutely!
Colombian cuisine, contrary to popular belief, is not loaded with spices. But it is an overall simple cuisine (not very elaborate) and based on rice (practically every dish!). The flavors are subtle, and the sweet and salty mixture particularly present! Finally, do not miss to taste the fabulous tropical fruit juices ("JUGOS NATURALES") served with every meal worthy of the name! If you absolutely want to drink wine, indulge yourself in the excellent and affordable wines of Chile. French wines are overpriced and the range of choices will disappoint you! As a dessert, there is a large quantity of desserts of all kinds.Due to the topography and therefore the climate of the country, it is possible to find a quantity impressive fruits and vegetables in all seasons.
For coffee, the choice is very varied. The worst and the best are found in Colombia (a bit like cigars in Cuba). The best coffee is usually exported, so only the poor quality is left. We can find some anyway. If you want to taste an excellent typical coffee, ask for a "tinto campesino con panela", flavored with a very aromatic raw brown cane sugar.
Drink / Go out
Nightlife in Bogotá centers around "zona T" (the capital's zona rosa around "calle 85") where the city's golden youth, artists and revelers of all stripes mingle. An incredible number of bars and nightclubs of all types will satisfy you. On the side of the "93 park", you will find many crowded bars all around the square, with very nice entertainment. Good security although you should avoid staying nearby when there is a violent argument between drunken revelers. Even at a late hour, there are plenty of taxis waiting to take you back to your hotel.
It is also possible to go out in the center (La Candelaria), a more typical atmosphere with salsa bars and discos and lower prices. Be careful, however, not to venture alone into dark streets!
Housing
Every "big" city likely to be "visited" by tourists has a nice guesthouse: "El Papyrus Hostel" (http://hotelmicasabyb.com) in Bogotá, "La Iguana Perdida" in Cali, "La Casa Amarilla" in Cartagena, "Masaya" in Santa Marta, "Amazonas The Amazon Bed & Breakfast" (http://amazonbb.com) in Leticia, ... In Bogotá, a hostel stands out: MASAYA (http://www.masaya-experience.com/fr). In Salento, the hostal "Estrella Sin Fronteras" is inexpensive with a super nice atmosphere and whose two owners are French.
To choose the right accommodation when traveling, it is best to look on sites like Hostelworld (http://www.french.hostelworld.com/) or Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/).
Learn
The majority of colleges and universities in Colombia are private and are very expensive overall. This partly explains the low rate of students in the population. Despite this, Colombia has many prestigious universities. The most famous is the University "Los Andes" in Bogotá, which forms part of the elite of the country (it is also the most expensive, with a price that revolves around 11 000 € for only a year!). "The University Nacional de Colombia" is the largest public university (it has 7 regional seats) and is considered the best in the country (in competition with "Los Andes"). Its campus in Bogotá is worth a visit. The UIS ("Universidad Industrial de Santander") in Bucaramanga is also one of the best public universities in the country and in all of Latin America.
Communicate
Colombians are an extraordinarily warm and hospitable people, they suffer so much from the negative image that their country may have in the world, that they make a point of welcoming foreigners in the right way, in order to help change this image.
security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:123 |
Security is a hot topic in Colombia. For some, the trip is going very well, for others, it is marked by serious (not to say dramatic) events, but these latter cases are still very rare today. In Colombia, more than elsewhere on the continent, we rely on God and the notion of chance takes full meaning ... As a European, we are likely to be disturbed, and that goes from curiosity very strong guerrillas during a bus check, to more serious (it remains very marginal cases).
Nothing is predictable, it is better to take precautions:
- driving in the city during the day is no more problematic than elsewhere. At night, prefer taxis (very economical, a trip will rarely cost you more than 8 € at night), but do not take them randomly on the street (call or ask bar staff)
- moving between cities is a little more complicated: when possible, choose the plane. The national company Avianca has a fleet of very comfortable aircraft. There has also been a company since 2012 low-cost : vivacolombia.co. Traveling by bus does not pose any particular problem between large cities (even if the trips are very long). It is best to travel during the day in sensitive areas and prefer to leave early to arrive before dark when the trips do not exceed 12 h. For trips between Bogotá and the coast, Santander and the coffee zone, night trips are possible. Even during the day, you can have the right to controls of all kinds, in particular in areas of resistance (San Augustin and Popayan especially, the Amazon on the other side). So, having already planned in his head a little sentence saying where you come from (your starting point in Colombia, not your country of origin) and where you are going, in order to answer the usual question "De dónde vienes y a dónde vas? "... Looking for words in the dictionary can be embarrassing at this time ... Carrying a photocopy of your passport to draw as soon as the" Documentación? "is released. The original passport is only shown as a last resort. No need to dramatize, however, you risk being searched like at the entrance of any nightclub in France, but the military / police are generally friendly and if you discuss with Colombians, you will realize that for them these practices are synonymous with safety on the roads.
- treks are also possible. Again inquire about the situation in the region. For example, the one in Ciudad Perdida in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is now hyper-secure, with a military encampment on the site itself and no problems along the way.
- drugs are a real problem in Colombia and in front of someone in need or an aggressor, it is better to agree to give the little money that we have had the good sense to take on ourselves (enough to satisfy a possible aggressor , so little ...). Do not try to resist, it is in these cases that there are murders.
To summarize, Colombia is not a more dangerous country than some of its neighbors that we hardly talk about (Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, ...). Traveling there requires higher safety recommendations than in Europe (but without being those of a country at war either), with some peculiarities. Do not show external signs of wealth, do not venture out alone into the streets at night, ...
Colombia is a country that suffers a lot from its bad image due to the internal war between guerrillas and paramilitaries and to cocaine. But it is a destination well worth knowing, with a diversity of landscapes, cultures and extraordinary people.
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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Health
Mosquito repellent necessary (better to buy it on the spot, more economical and more effective), or even anti-malaria treatment to discuss with your doctor (only for the Amazon and the Pacific coast).
Yellow fever vaccine is only needed in areas below 1 000 m altitude (therefore useless in Bogotá). Possibility to be vaccinated at Bogotá airport, but be careful: to do 2 weeks before going to a risk area.
Also think of an aspi-venom which may not be useful but which, if it is useful, will avoid many setbacks ...
In terms of drinking water, it is imperative to buy bottled water and not to drink from the tap for all of Colombia. The only exceptions are Bogotá and Medellín where tap water can be drunk (although it has a strong taste of chlorine).
Respect
Colombians in general are extremely respectful of their fellow citizens but even more of foreigners. So do not hesitate to use the keywords of Colombian politeness: "que pena" - "permeto" (excuse me), "por favor" (please), "muchas gracias" (thank you very much), "muy amable "(you are very kind)," que le vaya bien "(be well)," Hagame a favor "(could you help me), ...
Special attention should be paid to Colombian humor: it requires constant preparation to know when to laugh so as not to upset your host: indeed, Colombian humor is extremely characteristic and relatively "elitist. ". Do not hesitate to look beforehand for collections of "chistes" (jokes) to verify this point ... In general, avoid gently making fun of someone or their misadventures, even a friend: it can be taken badly.
