FAQs / Preguntas Frecuentes

Question

Do I need to show a negative COVID test or vaccine card to enter Colombia?

Answer

Vaccinated non-resident foreign travelers must present proof they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for at least 14 days prior to travel. If less than 14 days have elapsed or if the vaccination scheme is not complete, the traveler must present a PCR test with a negative result taken within 72 hours of boarding. Unvaccinated non-resident foreign travelers will not be allowed to enter Colombia. More information available here: https://co.usembassy.gov/health-alert%E2%80%AFnew-covid-19-entry-requirements-colombia/ YOU MUST WEAR A SURGICAL OR N95/KN95 FACE MASK IN CUSTOMS.

Question

Do I need to show a negative COVID test to return to the US?

Answer

Yes, all air passengers 2 years or older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must show a negative viral COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States. Contact Biocaremedica Prueba COVID at +57 301 6016912 or Dr. Franklin Prueba COVID Yepes at +57 313 6142703 to schedule your COVID test. They will come right to your hotel or AirBNB. The cost is $130.000 COP (about $35). Your hotel concierge can call also put you in contact with COVID testing labs, More information is available here: https://co.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Question

Do I need to wear a mask in Cartagena?

Answer

Yes. The use of face masks is mandatory in indoor public spaces. More information is available here: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/colombia

Question

Do I need to show a vaccination card to enter bars/restaurants/public places in Cartagena?

Answer

Yes. If you're over 18 years of age you must present a vaccination certificate (showing at least one dose) to enter public or private events where there will be groups of people. This includes bars, nightclubs, cinemas, concerts, casinos, stadiums, theme parks, fairs, and museums. From 30 November, this also applies to people over 12 years of age. Both paper and digital certificates can be presented. International vaccination certificates can also be used.

Question

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Answer

Once you land in the airport, you can easily hail a taxi or an Uber. The ride is only about 10-15 minutes from the airport to the walled city.

Question

How do I get around Cartagena? / ¿Hay transporte desde y hacia los hoteles hasta la ceremonia?

Answer

If you stay within the walled city, which we recommend, everything is within walking distance once you arrive at your hotel! If you do plan to go outside of the walled city, taxis and Ubers are readily available. No. Si te quedas dentro de la ciudad amurallada, que te recomendamos, ¡todo está a poca distancia!

Question

What is the currency in Colombia? / ¿Cuál es la moneda de Colombia?

Answer

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = $3,500 COP (this does fluctuate slightly), which makes Cartagena very affordable to USD. It is helpful to note that commas and periods are used oppositely to how they are used in the US, so $1.00 = $1,00 and $3,500 = $3.500. We recommend that you exchange some money at the airport when you arrive, but there are also some options near the hotels. There are also ATMs all over and most major credit cards are widely accepted.

Question

Is tipping customary in Colombia? / ¿Las propinas son habituales en Colombia?

Answer

There is typically a 10% tip (service) added to your bill. If service was extraordinary, feel free to add some extra pesos. If not, you will not be offending anyone. Please tip any tour guides you may use around 10%. Por lo general, se agrega una propina (servicio) del 10% a su factura. Si el servicio fue extraordinario, siéntase libre de agregar algunos pesos extra. Si no, no ofenderás a nadie. Por favor, dé una propina a los guías turísticos que pueda utilizar alrededor del 10%.

Question

Can I use USD in Cartagena?

Answer

No. Make sure to always have some Colombian pesos on you, which you can have exchanged from USD at the airport or withdraw from any of the many ATMs around.

Question

What is the weather like? / ¿Que tiempo hace?

Answer

March is hot with an average temperature of 80-90°F/27-32°C and virtually no chance of rain. Expect lots of sunshine and a breeze! Marzo es caluroso pero no húmedo, con una temperatura promedio de 80-90 ° F / 27-32 ° C y prácticamente sin posibilidad de lluvia. ¡Espere mucho sol y brisa!

Question

What is the time zone in Cartagena? / ¿Cuál es la zona horaria en Cartagena?

Answer

Cartagena is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone, but it doesn't use daylight savings time, so it will be in the same time zone as the Central Daylight Time Zone in March (i.e. Chicago). Cartagena se encuentra en la zona horaria estándar del este (lo mismo que Michigan).

Question

Can I drink the water? / ¿Puedo beber el agua?

Answer

Some tap water is safe, but to err on the side of caution, bottled water and beers (cervezas) are readily available in the area. You don't need to worry about ice in your drinks if you are eating at a restaurant frequented by foreign travelers, as the bar probably uses purified ice! When in doubt, beer is 95% water. Tap water is fine for showering and brushing your teeth. Un poco de agua del grifo es segura, pero para pecar de cauteloso, hay agua embotellada y cervezas disponibles en el área. No necesita preocuparse por el hielo en sus bebidas si está comiendo en un restaurante frecuentado por viajeros extranjeros, ¡ya que el bar probablemente use hielo purificado! En caso de duda, la cerveza tiene un 95% de agua. ¡El agua del grifo está bien para ducharse y cepillarse los dientes!

Question

Is Cartagena dangerous? / ¿Es peligrosa Cartagena?

Answer

Don’t worry! Cartagena is an incredibly safe city and the people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet. Just as if you were walking in any city in the world, be smart; only keep small amounts of cash on you and keep an eye on your belongings. ¡No te preocupes! Cartagena es una ciudad increíblemente segura y la gente es de las más amistosas que jamás conocerás; incluso durante la década de los 90, los cárteles llegaron a un acuerdo para mantener el “Patio de juegos de Colombia” fuera de la mezcla. Como si estuvieras caminando en cualquier ciudad del mundo, sé inteligente; sólo lleve consigo pequeñas cantidades de efectivo y vigile sus pertenencias.

Question

Do I need an adapter for my electronics? / ¿Necesito un adaptador para mis dispositivos electrónicos?

Answer

No. Colombia uses the same plugs and outlets than USA. No. Colombia usa los mismos enchufes y enchufes que EE. UU.

Question

Is there internet/roaming in Cartagena? / ¿Hay Internet / roaming en Cartagena?

Answer

Yes, many of the hotels and restaurants offer WiFi. Unless you have an international plan, you should switch your cell phone to “airplane mode” to avoid any surprise charges for international roaming, texting, and/or data usage. Most carriers charge $10 USD per day for international roaming in Colombia. Sí, muchos de los hoteles y restaurantes ofrecen WiFi. A menos que tenga un plan internacional, debe cambiar su teléfono celular al "modo avión" para evitar cargos inesperados por roaming internacional, mensajes de texto y / o uso de datos. La mayoría de los operadores cobran $ 10 USD por día por el roaming internacional en Colombia.

Question

If I have a US passport, do I need a visa to enter Colombia?

Answer

No, you only need your valid US passport to enter Colombia. US citizens do not need a visa to enter Colombia.

Question

How long does it take to get/renew a passport?

Answer

The State Department estimates a passport takes four to six weeks to process from the time you turn in your application (including the time it takes to mail it back to you), so leave plenty of time, especially in spring, when many people are preparing for the busy summer travel season.

Question

My passport is expiring soon - do I need a new one?

Answer

Maybe. To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates. For example, if you are traveling to Colombia in March, your passport must be valid through September of that year. This is VERY important. If you passport expires within 6 months of your travel dates, you WILL NOT be allowed to enter Colombia, even if it is not expired.

Question

Is it expensive to fly to Cartagena?

Answer

No! Flying to Cartagena is typically similar in price to flying within the Continental United States.

Question

Do I need to speak Spanish? / ¿Necesito hablar español?

Answer

It helps, but is not necessary to get around in Cartagena. All hotel concierges and most restaurant and bar staff speak English. However, if you feel like brushing up on your Español, we recommend downloading the free app, DuoLingo, for a fun and easy, gamified way to learn as much or little Spanish you like. Ayuda, pero no es necesario para moverse por Cartagena. Todos los conserjes del hotel y la mayoría del personal de los restaurantes y bares hablan inglés. Sin embargo, si te apetece repasar tu español, te recomendamos que descargues la aplicación gratuita, DuoLingo, para una forma divertida, fácil y ludificada de aprender tanto o poco español como quieras.

Question

Is there a dress code? / ¿Existe un código de vestimenta?

Answer

Yes, the dress code is tropical formal. This isn't a typical dress code in the US, so women, please wear long tropical dresses and men, please wear linen pants and long sleeve linen shirts. No shorts or Hawaiian shirts, please! Sí, el código de vestimenta es formal tropical. Mujeres, usen vestidos tropicales largos y hombres, usen pantalones de lino y camisas de lino de manga larga. ¡No pantalones cortos ni camisas hawaianas, por favor!

Question

Are kids welcome? / ¿Son bienvenidos los niños?

Answer

We love your kids, we really do, but we prefer our wedding and reception to be adults only. Amamos a sus hijos, realmente los amamos, pero preferimos que nuestra boda y recepción sean solo para adultos.

Question

What time does the wedding end?

Answer

Get ready! Colombian weddings traditionally last quite a bit longer than American weddings into the early hours of the morning, and ours is no exception!

Question

Common Words/Phrases in Spanish / Palabras/frases comunes en español

Answer

Buenos días. (Good morning.) Buenas tardes. (Good afternoon.) Buenas noches. (Goodnight.) Hola. (Hello.) ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?) ¿Cómo está usted? (How are you?) Bien, gracias. (Fine, thank you.) ¿Y usted? (And you?) ¿Cómo te llamas? (What’s your name?) Me llamo… (My name is…) Estoy buscando un restaurante. (I’m looking for a restaurant.) Estoy buscando un hospital. (I’m looking for a hospital.) Gracias. (Thank you.) De nada. (You’re welcome.) Perdóneme. (Excuse me.) Lo siento. (I’m sorry.) Hasta luego. (See you later.) ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?) ¿Cuánto cuesta este? (How much is this?) Una cerveza, por favor. (One beer, please.)