Travel requirements for entering Colombia

Meeting attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel and to ensure that they have the documentation required for entering Colombia.

Colombia Visa and Passport requirements

Citizens of many countries can enter Colombia without a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, entry requirements vary depending on nationality.

Holders of the following passports are exempt from a visa for a short stay (List A):

• Albania, Germany, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States of America, Estonia, Fiji, Philippines, Finland, France, Georgia, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Holders of the following passports are exempt from a visa for a short stay (List B):

• Hong Kong – SAR (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Nationals of States with Conditional Visa Exemption for a Short Stay (List C):

• Cambodia, India, Nicaragua, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam.

Visitors who do require a visa should apply well in advance through the Colombian embassy or consulate in their country. For visa applications and requirements, please visit the official Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa/requisitos.

If you require an official letter of invitation for visa puposes, please contact the GBIF Secretariat at GB32@gbif.org.

Health requirements - Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry unless arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting certain areas of Colombia like the Amazon or the Chocó region.

Insurance

Meeting attendees are advised to ensure appropriate comprehensive health and travel insurance for travel to Colombia.

Arriving in Colombia

International Airports

The primary gateway for international arrivals is El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota. The airport is located approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) from the city center. Direct international flights connect Bogota with major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, and some destinations in Asia.

Transportation from the Airport

• Taxis: Available directly outside the arrivals area. Using official airport taxis is recommended for safety. ~15 US
• Ride-sharing: Services like Uber and Cabify operate in Bogota. ~12 US
• Airport Bus: The TransMilenio public bus system connects the airport to the city. 1 US and card for 3 US

Hotels

Meeting attendees are asked to organize their own accommodation.

More information about hotels in the area will be provided at a later stage.

For attendees who will also attend the Living Data 2025 conference, it is recommened to stay at a hotel close to the Living Data 2025 conference venue as local transportation can possibly take a long time due to traffic in the city.

Venues

Humboldt Institute

Alexander von Humboldt Research Institute
Av Circunvalar, # 16 - 20, Bogotá
Colombia
Web site: https://www.humboldt.org.co/
How to get there.

The Global Nodes Training and Global Nodes Meeting and the meetings of the Budget and Science Committees will take place at the Humboldt Institute.

Other venues

The venue for the Governing Board meeting on 19-20 October has not yet been confirmed, but it will be in the Salitre area of Bogotá, not far from the venue of the Living Data 2025 conference. Once the venue has been confirmed, the information will be made available on this website.

The venues for the other events that have not been confirmed, will be added as soon as possible.

Map

A map with some of the key locations can be found here.

General information

Altitude

Bogotá is located at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) above sea level. Some visitors may experience ‘soroche’ (altitude sickness). Recommendations to prevent it:

• Drink plenty of water to stay constantly hydrated
• Rest adequately on your first day
• Avoid intense physical activities during the first few days
• Consider bringing altitude medication if you are susceptible

Climate and weather

Bogota has a mild climate year-round due to its high elevation (2,640 meters). October typically experiences average temperatures between 9°C (48°F) and 19°C (66°F) with occasional rainfall. The weather can be changeable, so layered clothing is recommended.

Electricity

Colombia uses 110V, 60Hz electricity. Power outlets are primarily Type A and Type B (same as in the United States).

Internet and Telecommunications

• Mobile networks: Claro, Movistar, and Tigo are the main providers
• WiFi is available in most hotels, restaurants, and cafés
• International roaming is available, but check with your provider for rates
• Purchasing a local SIM card is an affordable option for stay longer than a few days

Languages

Spanish is the official language in Colombia. In tourist areas and major hotels, English is often spoken, but basic Spanish phrases are helpful.

Money

• Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
• ATMs are widely available in Bogota and accept major international cards
• Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops
• It’s advisable to carry some cash for small purchases and transportation

Opening hours (for banks and shops)

Personal security

Bogota is generally safe for tourists in the main areas, but standard travel precautions should be observed:

• Avoid displaying valuable items in public
• Use official taxis or ride-sharing services, particularly at night
• Keep photocopies of important documents separate from originals
• Stay in well-lit, populated areas, especially after dark

Tipping

• Restaurants: A 10% service charge is often included in the bill. If not, a 10% tip is customary
• Taxis: Tipping is not required but rounding up the fare is appreciated
• Hotel porters: COP 5,000-10,000 per service is customary

Tourist information

Colombia offers diverse attractions from colonial architecture to natural wonders. Some highlights near Bogota include:

• Historic La Candelaria district
• Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
• Monserrate mountain with panoramic city views
• Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (day trip)
• Botanical Garden of Bogota

If you want to explore more of the country, bordadda events and experiences studio offers a number of tours (both nature focused and city visits):

• La Aurora
• Altagracia
• La Manigua
• Amazon
• Ciudad Antigua
• Mataven & Inirida
• Cartagena
• Bogotá
• Medellin
• Cali

You can find more information about the specific tours here.

Please contact Camila Diaz at bordadda at camila@bordadda.com to book your trip or send an inquiry. Please include the number of travelers and the itinerary you are interested in.