Travel Advice/Consejos de Viaje

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COVID-19 Updates

Starting December 14, 2021, all international travelers must provide proof of the COVID-19 vaccine to entry Colombia, so please remember to bring a copy of your COVID-19 vaccine card- A picture o electronic format is valid. Visit U.S Embassy’s Colombia website for most up to date information in link below

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Covid-19 Traveling Requirements to Enter Colombia

In addition to your passport and COVID vaccine card, you must complete the online Check-Mig form between 72 hours and 1 hour prior to arrival in, or departure from, Colombia. Access form in the link below or here https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.migracioncolombia.gov.co%2Fpre-registro%2Fpublic%2Fpreregistro.jsf&data=04%7C01%7CRooneyKD%40state.gov%7C00e97cf6a6684388e5f708d9bc2483bb%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C1%7C637747687277529616%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ox4x9M4GpsI5RTLsOw2A34hOZ0aslAykh2Y6pqBsdB8%3D&reserved=0

Travel Note

Other Vaccines Information/ Informacion de Vacunas

Visit your doctor to make sure you are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines for traveling to Colombia. *** Visite a su médico para asegurarse de estar al día con todas las vacunas recomendadas para viajar a Colombia.

Travel Note

The Weather/El Clima

Cartagena is a very hot city during the day, but it cools off at night. We will be there in February and the wind that comes off of the sea can be quite cold at night, so it is smart to bring a sweater or something to keep you warm once the sun goes down. During the day though, you better not leave your living quarters without a healthy layer of sunscreen. The city is very close to the equator and the sun is extremely strong. *** Cartagena es una ciudad muy calurosa durante el día, pero refresca por la noche. Estaremos allí en febrero y el viento que viene del mar puede ser bastante frío por la noche, por lo que es inteligente traer un suéter o algo para mantenerte abrigado una vez que se pone el sol. Sin embargo, durante el día, es mejor que no deje su vivienda sin una capa saludable de protector solar. La ciudad está muy cerca del ecuador y el sol es extremadamente fuerte.

Travel Note

Dealing with Merchants & Street Vendors/Tratar con los Comerciantes & Vendedores Ambulantes

While they are overwhelming, they are not dangerous at all! Please say: “No, gracias”. They can be very insistent, so say again “ no, gracias señor/señora”. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH THEM, this is what they do for a living. We suggest not buying on the street, just in stores. Regarding the singers and rappers on the street, it may be best to just keep walking, keep your eyes forward, and insist by saying "no gracias." The ladies in colorful outfits will charge you if you take a picture with them. *** Son abrumadores pero no peligrosos. Por favor diga: “No, gracias”. Pueden ser muy insistentes, así que repite “no, gracias señor/señora”. TENGA PACIENCIA CON ELLOS, esto es lo que hacen para ganarse la vida. Sugerimos no comprar en la calle, solo en las tiendas. Con respecto a los cantantes y raperos en la calle, puede ser mejor seguir caminando, mirar hacia adelante e insistir diciendo "no gracias". Las damas con atuendos coloridos te cobrarán si te tomas una foto con ellas.

Travel Note

Taxis/Ubers

Taxis in Cartagena all operate WITHOUT taxi meters. This obviously leaves some room for overcharging. For reference, any trip inside the city should cost only $10.000COP max. However, el Centro Historico, (Walled city or Old city) is walkable, so you won't need transportation to move around. You can also use Ubers in Cartagena. They are very reliable, and we recommend using Uber on your way back to the airport. *** Los taxis en Cartagena operan todos SIN taxímetros. Obviamente, esto deja algo de espacio para la sobrecarga. Como referencia, cualquier viaje dentro de la ciudad debe costar solo $10.000 COP máx. El Centro Historico (Ciudad Amurallada o Ciudad Vieja) es caminable, por lo que no necesitará transporte para moverse. También puedes usar Ubers en Cartagena. Son muy confiables y recomendamos usar Uber en su camino de regreso al aeropuerto.

Travel Note

Money & Payments

Don't forget to let your bank know that you are traveling to Colombia. When paying with a credit card you will be asked how many "cuotas" or payments you would like to make. To this you respond with "Una" or one. COP stands for Colombian Pesos. You will see the word "mil" a lot. This does not stand for million it means thousand. 20 mil = $20.000COP. Use a money convertor so that you know exactly how much you are paying in dollars. Also, we recommend not exchanging more than $100 dollars at the airport. Please ask them to give you bills of $5mil, $10mil, and $20mil so that you can use for tips. You won't get the best rate or value when exchanging money at the airport. We recommend paying with your credit/debit card as much as possible to get the best value. Or, we also suggest getting cash at a ATM. There are several around the city. Make sure you are with someone when getting cash and do it during the day.

Travel Note

Information about the Catamaran trip/ Informacion acerca del Barco

We suggest that everyone bring double the amount of sunscreen for the boat ride. Bring towels, a hat, and snorkeling gear. Also, bring cash to tip the crew, or to buy additional alcohol if you want. We will be in the Catamaran de whole time sailing around the islands, and will make a stop to get in the ocean. There are 3 restrooms in the Catamaran if you would like to change into your bathing suit there. *** Sugerimos que todos traigan el doble de protector solar para el paseo en bote. Traiga toallas, botellas de agua y equipo de snorkel. Además, lleve dinero en efectivo para dar propina a la tripulación o para comprar alcohol adicional si prefieren. Estaremos en el Catamarán todo el tiempo navegando alrededor de las islas, y haremos una parada para meternos en el océano. Hay 3 baños en el catamarán si desea cambiarse a su traje de baño allí.

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CDC Requirements to re-enter the U.S

Check the link below to see requirements. If you are getting tested in Cartagena, we recommend Clinica MediHelp. Text this number via WhatsApp to schedule an appointment +57 314 252 11 18. A nurse will come directly to your hotel/Airbnb

Hotel

Bastión Luxury Hotel

Our favorite hotel and #1 on our list! We are staying between an Airbnb and this hotel! Pros: Great food and service! All staff speak english. Super comfortable & spacious rooms, and beds are like heaven! Gorgeous spaces, pool, and terraze! Located in a nice neighborhood in the heart of the city. Everything around is walking distance, but the hotel has private cars to move around. This hotel is located right next to the church where we are getting married! Cons: Not the most affordable price *** ¡Nuestro hotel favorito y el número 1 de nuestra lista! Nos hospedaremos entre un Airbnb y este hotel! Ventajas: Excelente comida y servicio. Super comodo & habitaciones espaciosas y las camas son como el cielo! ¡Magnífico espacios, piscina, y terraza! Ubicado en un lindo barrio en el corazón de la ciudad. ¡Este hotel está ubicado justo al lado de la iglesia donde nos vamos a casar! Contras: no es el precio más asequible

Hotel

Hyatt Regency Cartagena

Great option if you want to stay away from the noise of the city. Pros: Great food and service! Staff speak english and they have private cars to move around. Rooms with view are gorgeous. Very affordable! Cons: This hotel is outside of the city, so you will need to use transportation to go the city for our events (10-15 mins ride) Not many good restaurants or things to do around but the hotel has 2 fantastic restaurants and 3 awesome pools with view to the ocean *** Buena opción si quieres mantenerte alejado del ruido de la ciudad. Ventajas: Excelente comida y servicio. El personal habla inglés y tienen autos privados para moverse. Las habitaciones con vistas son preciosas. ¡Muy accesible! Desventajas: este hotel está fuera de la ciudad, por lo que deberá usar el transporte para ir a la ciudad (10-15 minutos de viaje) No hay muchos buenos restaurantes o cosas para hacer en los alrededores, pero el hotel tiene 2 restaurantes fantásticos y 3 impresionantes piscinas con vista al mar

House Or Rental

Airbnbs

Pros: If you plan to stay with a group and want to save some money, this might be a great option! Cartagena has stunning airbnbs! We suggest staying in San Diego neighborhood or Getsemani. Make sure Airbnb has AC listed in the description and reviews above 4.6 ;) Cons: You won’t have the commodities of a hotel like staff service, restaurants etc. We put together a list of great AirB&Bs inside of the walled city from budget properties to luxury stays. *** Ventajas: Si planeas quedarte con un grupo y quieres ahorrar algo de dinero, ¡esta podría ser una gran opción! ¡Cartagena tiene airbnb impresionantes! Sugerimos quedarse en el barrio de San Diego o Getsemani. Asegúrese de que Airbnb tenga aire acondicionado en la descripción y reseñas anteriores 4.6;) Desventajas: no tendrás las comodidades de un hotel como servicio de personal, restaurantes, etc. Recopilamos una lista de excelentes AirB&Bs dentro de la ciudad amurallada.

Travel Note

WARNING - Do Not Stay at NH Hotel in Cartagena

Do not stay at this hotel. The location is extremely noisy at night, and the rooms and amenities did not live up to our expectations. Of all of the places we stayed in Cartagena, we highly recommend that you try and find a different hotel or AirBnB to stay in. *** No te alojes en este hotel. La ubicación es extremadamente ruidosa por la noche, y las habitaciones y las comodidades no estuvieron a la altura de nuestras expectativas. De todos los lugares en los que nos alojamos en Cartagena, te recomendamos encarecidamente que pruebes y encuentres un hotel diferente o AirBnB donde alojarte.