COLOMBIA 1 141 748 sq. km of variety EXCHANGE RATE MAR2018

COLOMBIAN PESO EURO COLOMBIAN PESO = 0.0003 = 3.334

USA DOLLAR = 0.0002 = 2.974

BRAZILIAN REAL

= 0.001 R = 904.0

MEXICAN PESO = 0.006 = 166.0

CANADIAN DOLLAR TABLE OF CONTENTS = 0.0004 C = 2,248

Who lives here 5 Source: Spot Reuters How things work 5 What you’ll need to get in and out 6 WEATHER How to move around 6 Being close to the equator, Colombia has a climate that remains relatively stable Must-sees... 8 throughout the year, but it changes depending on the altitude we’re at. The temperature drops approximately 6ºC for each 1000 meters ascended. At sea … And must-tastes 9 level the temperature is close to 30ºC. The mountainous system of the Andes confers to the country a topographical How much is… 10 variety that ranges from humid forests to moors and perpetual snow. What we can certainly underline is that October and November are the best months to Travel tips 10 hike through the Amazon thanks to the heavy rains. What if I get ill? 11

Be careful with... 11 GLACIAL < 6ºC > 4 000 M

Where can I exchange my money? 12 BLEAK UPLAND 6ºC - 12ºC 3 000 M

Who to turn to… 13 COLD 12ºC – 17ºC 2 000 M

Must-take pics 14 MEDIUM 17ºC - 24ºC 1 000 M

Discounts for your trip 16 WARM > 24ºC 0 M © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global WALKING BETWEEN WHO LIVES HERE

COFFEE PLANTATIONS, _ Colombia has almost 48 million inhabitants, 51% of which are women and 49% are men, according to the last population survey. we could perfectly imagine ourselves like this in Colombia. This country stands out for its _ The main religion in Colombia is Catholicism, but there coffee exploitations but it also has many other attractions that will delight those who visit it. are other minority religions. Are you ready to explore the country where Gabriel García Márquez was born? Maybe then _ The country is divided into 32 departments and the capital, you will understand why it’s such a magical place. Bogotá. _ The official language in Colombia is Spanish, but more than 60 indigenous languages are spoken in the country. WANT TO JOIN US?

48 MILLION INHABITANTS

Jeep Willys, typical transportation in the Coffee MEDELLÍN Triangle 2,5 million

BOGOTÁ 7,6 million

51% 49% CALI 2 million

HOW THINGS WORK

_ The form of governance in Colombia is a presidential democratic system, with Juan Manuel Santos in charge. _The legal tender in Colombia is the Colombian peso (symbol: $, ISO: COP). _ The GDP amounts to 292 100 million dollars. _ The annual inflation rate is 5.75%. _ The unemployment rate is at 10.6%. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

4 5 Road WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO GET Vía Manizales- Bogotá IN AND OUT

_ A visa is not required if you want to get in the country as a tourist, but if the reason for the trip is not tourism, your will have to consult with the embassy or the consulate of Colombia in your country. _ The maximum amount of money that a foreigner can take into the country is 10,000 US dollars for each trip without declaring it, on the 180 days that it is allowed to stay as a tourist. Trying to enter the country with a higher amount will be considered as money laundering and this is punished with penalties of imprisonment.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND

BY PLANE Colombia has an effective airlines system and a reliable network of domestic flights. The most popular airlines are Avianca, Copa and LAN, which also have international flights. Satena, for its part, provides service to farther national destinations. Viva Colombia is a low cost airline recently created, and it offers cheap flights to several national destinations _ Check here all Colombian airports.

BY BOAT In this country, there is an important marine traffic, principally made up of cargoes that accept passengers. _ Regular passenger ships are the cheapest way of going to Capurganá and of travelling between San Andrés and BY CAR It is easy to move around with your own car because, even Providencia. though there are still some security problems in some _ Rivers are the only routes in a great part of the Chocó, and remote regions, the main risks are reckless drivers and the Amazon. the bad condition of some roads. _ If you suffer a car accident, you should under no circumstances move it. Just wait until the traffic police BY BUS _ The bus network is well organised and it reaches the arrives. If you don’t do it, you could be charged with the smallest towns. accident, even if it hasn’t been your fault. _ The colectivos are a mix between a bus and a taxi. _ We advise you against leaving your car in the street Normally, they are big cars (sometimes even 4x4 cars or unattended. Usually, there are many informal security minibuses) that make short or medium distance routes. guards, but the best option is using secured public They leave as soon as they are full, without following a parking lots. timetable, and they are a reasonably priced option if you are in a hurry. We recommend using only trustworthy agencies and _ Travelling by bus is usually cheap. On average, one hour BY TAXI companies that properly identify themselves and their of travel in an air-conditioned bus is about COP 6,000. drivers. You always have to bargain (except on holiday periods); you can get discounts up to 33%. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

6 7 1

... AND 2 MUST-TASTES

_ Sancochos. Chicken, cow or fish soup. MUST-SEES _ La bandeja paisa. This dish, traditional from Medellín, is 3 made with different ingredients such as beans, rice, pork 1. The Amazon. Without any doubt, you cannot miss this scratching, beef powder, chorizo, morcilla or yellow corn place if you go to Colombia. Who hasn’t dreamed of being arepa. there? _ Las arepas. Bread made of cornflour and stuffed with several foods. 2. Barranquilla. If you like carnival and if you are in Colombia in early March, this is your place. But if you 4 _ El ajiaco. It’s a soup made of potatoes, corn, cream and can’t live this spectacle of joy and colour, you can also capers, among other things. enjoy the multiple options the city offers. _ El ceviche. This kind of seafood salad, with some spices that 3. Santa Marta. What is its main attractive? Choosing just you won’t be able to identify, will leave you craving for more. one is really difficult, but we can tell you that this city, one _ La carne a la llanera. Think about beef meat, roasted by the of the most ancient ones of Colombia, can be proud of its fire on a spike and marinated with salt and spices. Can’t you natural parks and its old town. 5 feel your mouth watering? 4. Medellín. Considered the second most important city in _ La changua. Soup for breakfast? Yes, an eggs and milk soup. Colombia, it is worldwide known for its colourful Festival _ And for the most adventurous: fried ants, typical of some of the Flowers and for many other attractions. 6 Colombian regions. 5. Luis Ángel Arango Library in Bogotá. This public library _Natural fruit juices. You will find them anywhere on the has become a worldwide model. Don’t you want to know 6 street, for about 3000 Colombian pesos. why? _ La aguapanelita. It's a typical drink from Medellín, made of 6. Cartagena. Famous for its beaches, this Colombian city cheese and mazamorra (peeled and boiled corn). offers a great variety of tourist attractions that range from cultural activities to its busy convention centres.

7. Rosario Islands. Located 35 km away from Cartagena, in 7 the middle of the Caribbean Sea, this archipelago formed by 27 islands will make you discover the creatures living on the seabed. 8

8. Salento. You can access the Cocora Valley from this village located on the department of Quindío.

9. The coffee growing area of Cundinamarca. It is a huge 8 forest, with coffee growing areas under its shadows.

10. A sunset at Cabo de la Vela. Do you want some relax? If the answer is yes, then you can’t miss this spectacular sunset.

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10 © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global Bandeja Paisa 8 8 Typical dish 9 HOW MUCH IS… WHAT IF I GET ILL?

_ A single ticket for the tube, bus or urban train: 1700 Colombian pesos _ A coffee: 3000 Colombian pesos _ There are no obligatory vaccines but it is advised to have the yellow fever _ A daily special at an average restaurant: 9000 Colombian pesos vaccine, given that it’s mandatory to enter most of the natural parks and if _ A drink at a nightclub: 5000 Colombian pesos you want to travel to Brazil from this country. _ A beer in a pub: 6000 Colombian pesos _ In the jungle areas we recommend drinking bottled water, using cotton clothes that cover most of the body and applying insect repellent on the _ A little of fuel: 3000 Colombian pesos exposed skin. _ A ticket for the movies at the weekend: 13000 Colombian pesos _ Hospitals clinics in big cities such as Bogotá and Medellín are acceptable; _ Getting into an emblematic museum: 5000 Colombian pesos some of them are even well equipped. Medical assistance in rural areas is much more unpredictable and much more deficient. _ A newspaper: 1 500-2 000 Colombian pesos _ We recommend travelling to Colombia with an international health _ A taxi from the airport to the centre of Bogotá (20 minutes ride, approx.): insurance with good coverage because private medical assistance can be 125000 Colombian pesos quite costly.

TRAVEL TIPS BE CAREFUL WITH...

_ Rural areas, because in some cases they are very dangerous. In big cities _ The most important holidays are: New Year (1st January), Epiphany (6th and tourist destinations, however, some thefts and assaults may occur, but January), San José (24th March), Palm Sunday (13th April), Easter (17, 18 and big crimes are not common. 20th April), Labor Day (1st May), Corpus Christi (23rd June), Sacred Heart (30th June), Independence Day (20th July), Assumption of the Virgin Mary _ Using mobile phones too much or taking out your wallet on the street, (18th August), Columbus Day (13th October), All Saints Day (1st November), particularly in little visited places. Day of the Immaculate Conception (8th December) and Christmas Day (25th _ Going for a walk on lonely places. December). _ Taking taxis on the street. In some cities, especially in Bogotá, fake taxi _ Tap water is only drinkable in Bogotá and in the principal cities of the drivers do the “millionaire drive” or “express kidnapping”, an extortion country. In general, we recommend you to drink bottled water. method in which they kidnap people for hours to extort and rob them. To _ You can haggle in informal shops and markets, street stalls, taxis without prevent these things from happening, the Colombian police recommends taximeter and long-distance buses. taking a photo of the taxi with your mobile phone before getting in and sending it to a friend or sending the taxi information. _ Tipping is not mandatory, but if you think that the service has been very good, it would be appropriate to leave some. _ Computer-related crimes (e.g. card duplicating or electronic theft of your credit card number) are frequent all over the country, but more specially in the centres of consumption of the big cities. _ Check the major risk zones at this Tripadvisor thread. _ Seismic movements and volcanic activity, as well as floods and land movements during the rain season in some parts of the country. Before going anywhere, we recommend you to check the Colombian Civil Defence website. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

10 11 WHERE CAN I EXCHANGE MY CURRENCY?

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4 3

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WHO TO TURN TO...

_ I need to call from outside Colombia: do it by dialling the prefix: +57 _ I have an emergency: National emergency number: 123. In this phone number Upon your arrival to Colombia, you can exchange your money to Colombian pesos they can put you through to the police. I want to call the National Police: call at any of the 108 branches that Global Exchange has in the country. Check our 112. Colombian website for more information _ I have witnessed a disaster: Colombian Civil Defence: 4292800. 1.El Dorado International Airport - 26 Street 103B-9, Ed. Terminal T1 + T2 _ I need to contact Red Cross: call 4376300. If I need to check something Adosada - 111051 Bogotá (Bogotá, D.C.) online: 2.Shopping Mall branch Street 93 - Street 15 with street 93-60 110221 Bogotá Colombian National Police website. (Bogotá, D.C.) 3.José María Córdova International Airport - Valle de Sajonia 054047 Medellín (Antioquia) 4.Olaya Herrera International Airport - Street 65 A # 13 - 157 050013 Medellín (Antioquia) 5.Rafael Núñez International Airport - Street 70A - 130002 Cartagena (Bolívar) 6.Church street branch - Street 4 #35-61 - 130001 Cartagena (Bolívar) 7.School street branch - Street 6 #34-107 - 130001 Cartagena (Bolívar) 8.Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport - Street 10a, Soledad 083006 Barranquilla (Atlántico) © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

12 13 Silleteros Festival of the Flowers Medellín

MUST TAKE PICS

Cartagena Coastal city

Tayrona Park Magdalena © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global http://blog.global-exchange.com/ further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global Caño Cristales Cristo Rey sculpture 14 River at Serranía de la Macarena. Cali 15 Travel money services DISCOUNTSfor your trip Print this voucher page and show it at our currency exchange branches. We are present at the airports of these 18 countries. Your currency exchange at the airport with a discount

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