Bogotá is typically safe for tourists, as long as they take appropriate care. You just need to be mindful of your surroundings, do not leave your belongings unattended, have caution when withdrawing money and taking Ubers for moving around. You will all be staying at a great hotel in a very safe area. All touristic activities we will go on, will be with a tour guide that knows Bogotá extremely well.
Uber is one of the best and safest ways to get around, but the driver will ask you to seat by him, not in the back seat due to legal regulation challenges. You can also use an app called Didi that's another ride-share service with private cars. Do not hail yellow taxis on the street.
Bogotá and Sopó have temperate climates with highs of 60-65F and lows of 45F. Do not expect hot weather, Bogotá is colder than you’d expect for a place so close to the equator. There is a chance that it will rain while you're there so prepare accordingly for the wedding and the days prior. Sweaters and a light jacket are recommended. For the days we will be doing some tours a rain jacket wouldn't hurt! Also lots of sunscreen due to Bogotá's altitude.
Prepare for the elevation. Bogotá is at 8,660 feet (2,640 meters) elevation, making it one of the highest-altitude capitals in the world. This means there’s less oxygen to go around. Normally symptoms are mild. Resting after traveling and hydrating will be very important to get used to it.
We will be setting up a transportation service for our out of town guests staying at the EK Hotel. Details will be available at your arrival the hotel.
You will be able to use your debit/credit cards in most place however carrying Colombian pesos is very important! You won’t be able to use cards for street purchases, some small shops, tips and things like this. Having access to both cash and cards will be crucial but you don’t need too much cash. We recommend bringing between $200-$300 in cash.
We recommend exchanging a small amount of money directly at the airport so you have cash on hand if needed. The airport currency exchange won’t give you the best rates so if you want to exchange somewhere else later, we will provide you with a currency exchange that we use and trust!
For the tours you are able to pay both with card or cash. The agency can send you a payment link or you can pay with both US dollars or Colombian pesos. It’s your choice! Tips are voluntary but it is recommend to give the tour guides a good tip if you enjoyed the experience! Tips can be given in either US dollars or Colombian pesos.