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Travel - International
Note: It is not recommended to travel to the provinces of Caqueta, Putumayo, Meta and Choco or to the rural areas of Antioquia, Cauca, Narino, and Norte de Santander. For further information visitors should seek official advice.
AIR: Colombia’s national airline is Avianca (AV). British Airways and Avianca each operate flights, Monday to Saturday, to Bogotá. During the summer season, British Airways only operate flights Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Approximate flight times: From London to Bogotá is 11 hours 45 minutes, from Los Angeles is 10 hours 30 minutes, from New York is 6 hours 30 minutes, and from Sydney is 29 hours.
International airports: Bogotá (El Dorado) (BOG) is situated 12km (7.5 miles) east of the city. Buses to the city depart every 20 minutes from 0600-2200 (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are also available. Airport facilities include bank (0700-2200), duty-free shop, bar, restaurant (0700-2200), tourist information and car hire (Avis, Hertz and Dollar).
Barranquilla (Ernesto Cortissoz) (BAQ) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Car hire is available.
Cali (Palmaseca) (CLO) is 19km (10 miles) from the city.
Cartagena (Crespo) (CTG) is 2km (1 mile) from the city.
Departure tax: US$25-29 (depending on which airport you are flying to); children under five years and passengers transiting within 24 hours are exempt. US$19 is charged for all departing passengers whose stay exceeds two months.
The Visit South America Pass: This must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include LAN-Chile (LA), Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), IBERIA (IB) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. For both air passes children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay ten per cent of the adult fare. For further details contact one of the participating airlines.
Note: All air tickets purchased in Colombia for destinations outside the country are liable to a total tax of 15 per cent on one-way tickets and 7.5 per cent on return tickets.
SEA: Major ports on the Caribbean coast include Cartagena, Baranquilla, Santa Marta and Turbo. Buenaventura is the main port on the Pacific coast. Many ships and cruise lines visit these ports from the USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
RAIL: There are no international rail connections.
ROAD: Colombia can be reached from Panama via the Darien Gap, but the route is not advised as it can be long, arduous, and dangerous. Vehicles can also be freighted from Panama to one of Colombia’s Caribbean or Pacific ports. There are also road links with Ecuador and Venezuela, although travellers should check with the local embassy about safety of roads before crossing the border to Venezuela. Coach/bus: TEPSA buses connect with Venezuela. Coaches are comfortable and services good. There are second-class buses from Maracaibo to Santa Marta and Cartagena, but this method of travelling can be uncomfortable.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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