TOURIST GUIDE OF COLOMBIA

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1 TOURIST GUIDE OF COLOMBIA Colombia is surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, its territory is crossed, by numerous rivers, it has snow-capped peaks, deserts, jungles, 365 sunny days, a mega biodiversity in all climates, an amalgam of indigenous cultures, Afro-descendants, Mestizo communities, which together with their heritage and landscape offers people unique life experiences. WHY COLOMBIA? BECAUSE COLOMBIA IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THAT HAS AN AMAZING DIVERSITY IN NATURE AND CLIMATE: The first country to have over 2 kilometers in biodiversity in the whole world In fifth place there are 471 mammal species (10% of the planet) For starters, this country has different bird species (this covers 20% of the planet) In Colombia there are 17% of the amphibians, 8% of sweet water fishes and 16% of diurnal butterflies of the planet to be found Secondly, there are different kinds of flora and fauna, especially endemic ones A forest coverage of 56 million hectares (approximately 50% of the national territory) Thirdly, this country has 524 different reptile species (8% of the planet) Savannah landscapes, arid zones, wetlands and peaks where snow is in 22 million hectares

2 IColombia is one of the main countries producing emeralds in the world CLIMATE: Third place in producing coffee It is part of the countries that have the two oceans on its sides which makes it the wettest place on the planet in Colombia you can find the most humid place on earth The whole year around you can visit our country, but you should keep in mind that the raining season is usually from April to June and from September to November. In Colombia, thanks to its tropical climate, it may occur that there are rain showers that are followed by several minutes of an amazing clear blue sky and sun. Similarly, in Colombia, for its geographical location, the coastal areas do not suffer from the hurricane season, so that is why we can recommend you to visit all of our interesting destinations. REGIONS OF COLOMBIA HOW AND WHEN TO TRAVEL? Amazon region WHAT IS IT LIKE? The least populated region of Colombia, home to the exuberant passages of the Amazon rainforest, it is the most extensive tropical forest with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? One option is Leticia, this place is considered the gateway of numerous reserves of the Amazon rainforest, but also for cities like Florencia, Mocoa and Guainía, with privileged environments for the practice of ecotourism. CLIMATE: this region has a tropical climate, with much heat, humidity and abundant rainfall throughout the year. During all the months there are the same high temperatures, but the quantity in raining tends to increase in October and May. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: June and September, because those are the months when the least rainfall is.

3 Andina region WHAT IS IT LIKE? The most populated region of Colombia, home to the main cities of the country. This region is characterised for its mountainous landscapes, among where numerous extended valleys, canyons, tablelands and rivers are. Across this region are three mountain ranges: Western, Central and Eastern. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? Bogotá, Medellín and the Eje Cafetero, formed by Caldas, Risalarda, Quindíio, furthermore you can visit Antioquia, Valle and Tolima. CLIMATE: This region has a tempered climate. In the mountains are warm temperatures in the places with a low altitude but dramatically low temperatures in higher altitudes. The rainfall generally increases significantly in two periods of the year: April to May and September to November, the rest of the months the rainfall is less. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: Between December and March, these months are the ones with the least rainfall. Caribbean region WHAT IS IT LIKE? The most touristic region of the country, a famous region for its Caribbean scenes, paradisiacal beaches and the heights of the Sierra Nevada. The region has a broad variety of ecosystems, from perpetual snow 3000 meters above sea level to tropical forests 1000 meters below sea level. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? Cartagena de Indias, Santa Marta, Parque Nacional Tayrona and Barranquilla. CLIMATE: Most of the destinations in these region have a climate that is warm and wet. Between December and April there is a dry season and between May and November a rainy season. Just like the rest of the Carribean there are big chances of hurricanes from August to October. The destinations with a high altitude, like the Sierra Nevada, the climate can change dramatically. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: The dry season, between December and April. Orinoquia region WHAT IS IT LIKE? The region is also known as los Llanos Orientales. This region is known for its Savannah landscapes with extensive plains covered with pastures, dedicated to agricultural plantations and cattle raising, together with a strong cultural tradition around the figure of the Llanero and the customs of the countryside. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? Caño cristales with national park Sierra de la Macarena and national park El Tuparro. CLIMATE: Tropical warmth, with high temperatures and abundant rainfall in the majority of the year. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: January to March, the coldest months with the least of rainfall

4 Pacific region WHAT IS IT LIKE? Considered one of the regions with a big biodiversity in the world. This region is characterised for its deep and flowing rivers, jungle landscapes and beautiful beaches surrounded by mangrove forests. There is also the scene of the fascinating migrations of the humpback whales, which arrive every year to the pacific coasts to procreate. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? Nuquí, Bahía Solano, Cartago, Popayán and Puerto Buenaventura. CLIMATE: Humid tropical jungle climate with high temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: July to November, when it is possible to observe the arrival of humpback whales off the coast of Colombia. Insular region WHAT IS IT LIKE? This regions covers all the islands in Colombia, both those bathed by the Atlantic and the islands of the Pacific. In general, although these islands differ in landscapes, they share an extraordinary biodiversity, being home to invaluable natural reserves where thousands of species of fauna and flora coexist. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO? San Andrés, Archipiélago de San Bernardo, Islas Corales del Rosario and Isla Gorgona. CLIMATE: The climate varies dramatically per island. The Atlantic islands have a warm climate throughout the year, with a dry season from December to May and a rainy season from June to November. The Pacific islands, in the meantime, have a warm climate, humid and with a lot of rain during the year. The months it rains the most are in September and October. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: For the Altantic islands, December to April, these are the most dry seasons. For the Pacific, Juli to November, is the time when it is possible to observe humpback whales approaching the Colombian coasts INSULAR PACIFIC CARIBBEAN ORINOQUIA ANDINA AMAZON

5 PACK YOUR SUITCASE FOR YOUR TRIP TO COLOMBIA Warm clothes: trousers, sweater and a raincoat for hiking. Loose clothing, preferably cotton, for warm and humid areas Bathing suit and beach towel Hat, cap, sunglasses and sunblock for protection against the sun Protection against mosquitoes and soothing cream in case of insect bites Several pairs of footwear according to what you are going to do during your stay: trekking shoes, comfortable shoes for walking (trainers), sandals (flip flops) and normal shoes just in case. A camera for photos or videos First aid kit with basic products and medicines Portfolio or purse for your all your travel documents Backpack for hiking and a light back for use in the city EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES CANADA (Embassie) Adress: Cra 7 Nº , Bogotá D.C. Telephone number: (57 + 1) /9951 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Embassie and Consulate) Adress: Calle 22D Bis Nº 47 51, Bogotá D.C. Telephone Number Embassie: (57+1) Telephone Number Consulate: (57+1) IRELAND (Consulate) Adress: Av de las Americas Nº 56 41, Bogota D.C. Telephone Number: (57+1) AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND; for both countries, Colombian affairs are handled with the respective embassies of Santiago de Chile.

6 VISA FOR ENTERING COLOMBIA Citizens of the following nationalities are required to apply for a Tourist Visa: A: Afghanistan and Algeria C: China, Cuba and Czech Republic D: Dominican Republic H: Haiti I: India, Iran and Iraq J: Jordan L: Lebanon and Libya M: Morocco N: Nicaragua and North Korea P: Pakistan and Palestine S: Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Syria V: Vietnam Y: Yemen HOW DO YOU GET TO COLOMBIA BY AIRWAY Estimated flight times from the main capitals in the world to Bogotá BUENOS AIRES 6 HOURS 15 MINUTES CARACAS 2 HOURS LIMA 2 HOURS 55 MINUTES PANAMA CITY 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES QUITO 1 HOUR 26 MINUTES MEXICO D.F. 4 HOURS 35 MINUTES LOS ANGELES 9 HOURS 44 MINUTES NEW YORK 4 HOURS 35 MINUTES MIAMI 3 HOURS 4 MINUTES MADRID 9 HOURS 40 MINUTES PARIS 14 HOURS 10 MINUTES ROME 14 HOURS 45 MINUTES

7 AIRLINES THAT HAVE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN COLOMBIA SATENA (9R) Avianca (AV) VivaColombia (FC) LATAM (LA) Copa Airlines(P5) Other airlines that fly to American Airlines Delta Air lines United Airlines Turkish Airlines Lufthansa KLM Airfrance Air Canada Iberia Aeromexico INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS OF COLOMBIA BOGOTÁ D.C. (BOG): Aeropuerto internacional el Dorado. Urban perimeter. MEDELLÍN (MDE) : Aeropuerto José María Cordova. Municipio de Rionegro at 45 kilometers distance CALI (CLO): Aeropuerto Alfonso Bonilla Aragón. Municipio de Palmira at 18 kilometers distance BARRANQUILLA (BAQ): Aeropuerto Ernesto Cortissoz. Municipio de Soledad at 10 kilometers distance. CARTAGENA (CTG): Aeropuerto Rafael Nuñez. Urban perimeter.

8 MONEY The official currency of Colombia is the peso How much money is needed to travel to Colombia? A menu in a hamburger place: Colombian pesos / 5,7 American dollars / 5,38 euros. Lunch in a middleclass restaurant: Colombian pesos / 6,3 American dollars / 5,97 euros. Dinner in a middleclass restaurant: Colombian pesos / 6,3 American dollars / 5,97 euros. WHICH VACCINATIONS DO YOU NEED WHEN TRAVELLING TO COLOMBIA If you plan to visit jungle regions or natural parks, it is recommended in addition to the vaccine against yellow fever, to have the tetanus vaccine. Vaccines of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid fever, triple virus and diphtheria-tetanus are also recommended. WHAT TYPE OF PLUG CONNECTION CAN I USE? In Colombia the voltage is 110 and the frequency is 60Hz. The plugs are type A/B Elextric connections Plug A is with two flat input pins Plug B is with two flat input pins

9 Siempre Colombia applies all the principles of sustainable tourism for the well-being of future generations and gives strict application to the prohibition of NO support to the illegal trade of flora and fauna species, as well as the prevention and conservation of our biodiversity, as well is stipulated by law 17 of 1981 and 1333 of We DO NOT support the illegal marketing of cultural property and its preservation as it recalls in Law 63 of 1986 and 1185 of Siempre Colombia, in order to counteract the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in travel and tourism, gives strict application to the Code of Conduct, in order to make the obligations effective contemplated in articles 16 and 17 of Law 679 of 2001, as well as to prevent behaviors typified in article 19 of the same law, in accordance with resolution 3480 of Likewise to prevent child labor exploitation according to the law of childhood and adolescence 1098 of To guarantee the protection of the rights of a person or group of people, community or village, from being harmed in acts of racism or discrimination against in accordance with law 1482 of 2011 modified by law 1752 of In SIEMPRE COLOMBIA, we are committed to the environment. Before printing this , ask yourself if it is necessary.