Approximately 58 percent of the country is covered by natural forest, including 154,440 square miles of the Amazon Basin, which produces 15 percent of the world’s oxygen and is home to 10 percent of the world’s biodiversity.
Almost half of all plant species in the world can be found here, plus more than 1,821 species of birds, 623 species of amphibians, 467 species of mammals, 518 species of reptiles and 3,200 species of fish.
Colombia is also very rich in culture, comprising the second largest population of people in South America. From the dynamic capital city of Bogotá to the rugged terrain of the Andes Mountains, visitors can explore the country’s rich biodiversity and exuberant culture.
Colombia | Birding the Atlantic Coast and Santa Marta Mountains
Colombia | Birding the Atlantic Coast and Santa Marta Mountains
Colombia | Birding in the Colombian Amazon and Llanos
Birds
Colombia’s varying climates make it a birder's paradise, with an astonishing 1,900+ avian species, more than any other country in the world. More than 70 of these species are endemic, or unique to this country, of which a quarter live in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a small coastal mountain range older than the Andes. Explore parts of the country untouched by civilization in search of tropical avifauna, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more while also learning about Colombia’s conservation efforts to help protect and preserve bird habitats. No matter what area of Colombia you are in, you are guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you seek out some of the rarest and most beautiful bird species on the planet.
History & Culture
Colombia has a rich culture tied to its pre-colonial, colonial and republican history. In the country's capital of Bogota, the different eras of Colombia’s history mix together to create a blend of the old and new. Bogota is home to an array of museums, churches, colonial mansions and state government buildings that showcase the country's respect for its past as well as its dedication to move forward. Bogota is also home to the historical neighborhood of La Candelaria and the Botero Museum. Many of the buildings found here are built in ornate Spanish colonial style which gives visitors an authentic look at classic Colombian architecture. Outside of the capital, travelers can also get a glimpse of Colombia’s rural culture found in Pereira, Colombia's coffee growing region, by visiting a local coffee plantation. There visitors can see the coffee production process from start to finish, learn about the struggles of the farmers who work there, and even try a freshly prepared cup of coffee.
Biodiversity
Colombia’s geography is very diverse, housing six unique regions within its borders: Andean, Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoquia, Amazon and Insular. The ecosystems that have developed in these various regions have made Colombia the second most biodiverse country in the world, with 56,343 species counted as of 2016, of which 9,000 are endemic. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains encompass a variety of ecosystems, making it a microcosm for all of earth’s biodiversity as well as “the heart of the world,” according to the mountains' indigenous inhabitants. Ten percent of the country's territory is protected land dedicated to preserving this biodiversity and educating visitors through ecotourism.
Entry & Exit Requirements
U.S. citizens must present a passport valid for at least the duration of their stay to enter Colombia.
A Colombian visa is not required for tourist stays of 90 days or less. Travelers entering Colombia are sometimes asked to present evidence of return or onward travel, usually in the form of a plane ticket.
No arrival tax is collected upon entry into Colombia, but travelers leaving by plane must pay an exit tax in cash at the airport. Most airlines include all or a portion of this fee in the cost of your airline ticket. Check with your airline beforehand to find out how much you will have to pay at the airport.
If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Colombian Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.
Health and Safety
Please consult your physician for guidance on medical issues. Holbrook Travel is not authorized to provide medical information and the following advice should be confirmed with your doctor.
Immunizations
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine, before every trip.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Colombia (unless you are arriving from Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda, in which case yellow fever vaccine is required). According to the CDC, yellow fever is a risk in much of Colombia, primarily at elevations below 7,550 feet. While not required for entry into the country, the CDC does recommend the yellow fever vaccine for most travelers.
Additionally, the CDC recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid for most unvaccinated travelers to Colombia.
Please visit cdc.gov/travel or consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.
Malaria
The CDC warns that travelers to Colombia may be at risk for exposure to malaria, especially at elevations below 5,600 feet. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of insect bites. If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription. To protect against mosquitos, cover exposed skin with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, consider treating clothes with permethrin, and use an insect repellent containing an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin. Apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later).
Other Insect-borne Illnesses
Other insect-borne illnesses are known to occur in Colombia, including dengue fever, leishmaniasis, Zika virus, and others. Travelers to Colombia should protect themselves against insect bites using the measures described above.
As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
Altitude sickness
Upon arrival at locations of high elevation (above 5,000 feet), shortness of breath and a pounding heart are normal responses to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors, these symptoms can deteriorate into altitude sickness. Headache, extreme tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite are standard symptoms. Staying hydrated and well rested is important to adjust to the altitude. Avoiding heavy, fatty foods and alcohol in the days before arriving to altitude can help. Over-the-counter medications are also available to help prevent or alleviate symptoms. It’s advisable to avoid sleep medications, as they can slow breathing and respiration, which aid in getting the blood oxygenated while sleeping. Participants who take blood pressure medications should discuss this with their doctor as the medication can drop pressure too low at times.
Sun Exposure
The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.
Currency
The currency in Colombia is the peso (1 peso = 100 centavos).
Communications
Telephone
Colombia's country code is +57.
To call Colombia (from the U.S.): Dial 011-57-(xxxx-xxxx)
To call the U.S. (from Colombia): Dial 00X-1-(xxx-xxx-xxxx)
(X is the long-distance carrier code.)
To make an international call, you must first gain access to the international telephone circuits by dialing an exit code (011 from U.S.; 00 from abroad). After dialing the international exit code, you need to dial the country code number for the country you are calling, then dial the city code/area code and the local number.
Telephone centers are available in most shopping malls. Most of the larger towns in Colombia have internet cafés, and many of the larger hotels also have their own internet service. Although international calls can be charged to your hotel room, it is usually a more expensive option, so be sure to check hotel phone rates prior to making any calls.
Please check with your cell phone provider if you’re unsure whether or not your cell phone will work internationally. Be aware that you are likely to incur additional charges for international use.
Internet
The increasing availability of computers and Internet access at hotels and cyber cafés has made it easier than ever to connect with friends and family via email. Many participants have found this to be a more cost-effective method for staying in touch with loved ones during travel.
Electricity
Electrical current is usually 110 volts, the same as in the United States. (If your camera equipment or other electronics require a 3-prong plug, however, you should plan to bring a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter, i.e. two prongs without a grounding plug going into the wall. These can be found at hardware stores and sell for about $1.)
Time Zone
Colombia has one time zone, Colombia Time (COT), which is located in the UTC−05:00 zone, 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Reading List
Love in the Time of Cholera
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A glorious tale of great love consummated after fifty years, nine months and four days, memorably set in a dusty 19th-century town on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Culture Smart! Colombia
Kate Cathey
A concise and practical guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Moon Colombia
Andrew Dier
A practical guide in the Moon series, packed not only with travel necessities (hotels, restaurants, sights), but also with a good overview of history and destinations throughout Colombia.
No Way Home: The Decline of the World’s Great Animal Migrations
David Wilcove
A conservation biologist at Princeton, Wilcove argues powerfully that we must protect the habitats and byways of the grand migratory assemblages on the ground, in the air and on the water.
Colombia Adventure Map
National Geographic Society
A colorful travel map at a scale of 1:1,525,000.
Bradt Guide Colombia
Sarah Woods
A compact, detailed guide in the British series to traveling in Colombia, strong on practical information. With detailed sketch maps.
Lonely Planet Colombia
Lonely Planet
A practical guide to Colombia featuring maps and detailed information on excursions, accommodations and sightseeing. With a few color photographs and excellent travel information.
National Geographic Traveler Colombia
Christopher P. Baker
The intrepid Christopher Baker, author of National Geographic Cuba and other titles, penned this guide to exploring the cities, beaches and towns of Colombia, noteworthy for its attention to detail, maps and striking color photographs.
Rough Guide to Colombia
Stephen Keeling
Serious birders will want this definitive guide to the 1,070 bird species. It may be awkward to carry but it covers, in detail, all the birds you will see in the region.
Aroma of the World: A Journey into the Mysteries and Delights of Coffee
Elisabetta Illy
A beautiful book for the coffee lover, this heavily illustrated compendium details the passage of the coffee bean from origination to current status as an icon of modern living.
Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History
Mejia, German R., Michael LaRosa
This refreshing history of Colombia showcases the country’s political, social and cultural accomplishments over the past two centuries -- a welcome break from all the focus on Colombia’s failures and disappointments.
Latin America in Colonial Times
Matthew Restall
This scholarly primer considers the history of the continent from the arrival of the first Conquistadors in the 16th century to the dying embers of empire 300 years later, giving equal weight to the histories of the colonial rulers, the African slaves brought over to work in the New World and the indigenous groups whose lives and lands were forever changed by conquest.
Wallpaper City Guide Bogota
Rachael Moloney
A stylish, thin (it fits in your back pocket) city guide compiled by the design magazine Wallpaper’s local reporters. Well-organized, with chapter tabs, many photographs and of-the-moment recommendations.
News of a Kidnapping
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
In 1990, fearing extradition to the United States, Pablo Escobar -- head of the Medellin drug cartel -- kidnapped ten notable Colombians to use as bargaining chips. With the eye of a poet, Garcia Marquez describes the survivors’ perilous ordeal, depicting the keening ache of Colombia after nearly forty years of turmoil.
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Colombia: A Birding Paradise
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