FAQs

Question

What is the weather like in Bogotá?

Answer

While much of Colombia is generally fairly warm/hot, Bogotá is in the mountains, so the temperatures are very temperate and cool. Since the country is so close to the equator, the weather does not vary much throughout the year. The biggest variations in weather present themselves in the wet and dry seasons. The wet season is October - November and April - May. Therefore, the month of June is relatively dry, with an average of 9 rainy days. In June, Bogotá has an average low of 48 F and an average high of 66 F. So, expect the evenings to get a little chilly and carry a light/medium jacket. Puffy winter jackets aren't necessary.

Question

What is the average cost of a meal?

Answer

This depends on whether you buy street food (which is amazing) or something from a fast food restaurant or dine-in restaurant by the side of the street or a nice restaurant. The fast food on the street, which includes arepas, pasteles de yuca, hot dogs, hamburgers, empanadas, and other things cost around 2,000 or 3,000 pesos (50 cents to less than a dollar). An average meal at a restaurant on on the street with a good Colombian meal may average around 13,000 pesos ($3.66) but can be a little more or less, depending on what you order. So, meals are very cheap and affordable. Outside of the payment to cover the five meals that will be included with your stay, you will be responsible for 2 meals. That is one meal on Friday and one meal on Sunday (unless you are staying past Sunday).

Question

What should I pack?

Answer

The weather is cool/temperate (50-65 F on average), so pack a light jacket. You most likely will not need a jacket for the wedding night because the ceremony and reception will be indoors, and the cocktail hour will have heaters. Other things to pack include a nice outfit for the wedding (or your dress, jewelry, and shoes, if you're part of the wedding party). There's no need to bring mosquito repellant, but I do recommend bringing some sunscreen because the sun here is deadly and can burn you easily. We will be touring a little Friday afternoon, so I recommend applying some that day. Bogotanos are fashionable but casual, so you will see jeans and neutral colors everywhere! They never wear shorts, even if it's in the upper 60s or 70s, and they never wear opened-toe shoes. They usually have a jacket on them because the weather can fluctuate throughout the day. However, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but just know that wearing shorts will give you some extra attention.

Question

Will we have to wear masks at the wedding?

Answer

Yes, we will be wearing masks at the wedding. However, we can remove masks for pictures, and you may remove your mask once you are seated at your table.

Question

Are the electric outlets the same as in the U.S.? Do I need an adapter?

Answer

The outlets are exactly the same, so there's no need for an adapter.

Question

What about money?

Answer

Don't worry about getting Colombian pesos before you leave because we will go to the an exchange house on Friday. However, make sure to bring dollars (at LEAST $30 + $78 if a covid test is required to go back) so that you have cash on hand to buy food and souvenirs and pay for any activities, if necessary ($1 = ~ 3,557 pesos). Most places outside of malls do not take card, so it's always a good idea to have a little cash (but not much) on you when you are out and about. The bills come in coins of 1,000 or below, and the bills come in 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; and 50,000. Technically, there are 100,000 bills, but you rarely ever see them. It is a good idea to keep some smaller bills on you (20,000 and below) because a 50,000 ($14) is considered a large bill, and some smaller vendors or Uber drivers won't have sufficient change for you.

Question

What about transportation?

Answer

Transportation will be covered by us. We will reserve a transportation service that will transport everyone to and from the venue.

Question

What are some safety tips?

Answer

As with being in any foreign country, you will stick out as an American, so don't be oblivious and always be aware of your surroundings. Keep your money very close to you and keep very little cash on you. I recommend not keeping your money inside accessible pockets but instead to keep your money in your bra, in a pocket on the inside of your jacket, or in a zippered crossbody purse with a safety pin on it. If you have a bag, keep your hand on it with a firm grip when you are in crowded or touristy areas. Also, this might be a no-brainer, but don't take your phone out while outside if you don't have to. If you want to take pictures, be aware of the people around, keep the phone very close to your body, and maybe have someone else stand in front of you to guard you from any potential thieves. Keep your phone in a secure place as well. In my time here, I have not been stolen from, but it's good to take these precautions.

Question

Do I need to brush up on my Spanish?

Answer

While knowing some greetings and basic questions would be helpful, you will have someone with you every step of the way who speaks both languages (either me or a venue employee who speaks English). Most of the invitees to the wedding will be Danilo's friends and family, and only his sister and brother-in-law, Erika and "Lucho," speak English, so I recommend knowing the basic greetings and expressions to be able to interact with the Colombians. If you are interested in learning some basic phrases, reach out to me and I can send you a helpful language guide I made for my parents when they came for the first time.

Question

Tell me about the customs form...

Answer

Once you are close to landing, the flight attendant will hand you a customs form to fill out, so have a pen on hand. The form will be in Spanish, and the flight attendant won't likely have enough English forms on board, so I will send an email with a photo and translations before you leave.

Question

What happens once I get to the airport in Bogotá?

Answer

The El Dorado airport is fairly easy to navigate. Once you exit the plane, depending on what the COVID protocols are at that point, there may be some ladies by hand sanitizer stations. They will ask you in Spanish to step on the pedal to get some hand sanitizer, and they may ask you if you have any symptoms. You can just say, "No, ninguna." Next, you will walk a little while and there will be some restrooms on the left, if you need them. Eventually, you will get to customs. There are two lines, one for Colombian nationals and one for foreigners. The sign will be in both English and Spanish, so you should have no problem. Once you are in line, there may be more women there to ask (in Spanish) to see your negative COVID test result (if that is still required in June). Just show it to them and move on. The customs officers do not speak English, only a few words, so they will ask for your passport and your test result and may ask where you're staying and why (tourism). (Keep reading below)

Question

What happens when I get to the airport in Bogotá (continued)?

Answer

Keep the hotel address on hand in written form so that if the officers asks "hotel?" that you can just slide that under the glass and they can input it into the computer. After they let you through, you will turn right and go down the escalator to the checked bags. Look at the carousels for DFW and voilà, you're almost there! Then, you will have one last checkpoint to go through. You will present your customs form to a person at a desk and then put your luggage through an X-ray machine and then walk out to freedom! We will have some arrangement planned for transportation to the hotel.

Question

What about the return home?

Answer

The employees at the bag checking counter all speak English and so do the gate agents and flight attendants, so you won't have much problem. The only workers that don't speak English are the customs officers and security workers. However, they don't ask or say a lot at customs, so you will probably be fine. If in June the Colombian government still requires all passengers to complete the online form, you must do this before going to the airport. They call it "check mig," so if you hear them asking for it, they want to see confirmation that you filled out the form. After exiting security, you walk past the shop/duty-free area and turn right and go ALL the way down to the gate at the end.