The CDC requires all air passengers entering the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure. We plan to have group COVID-19 testing available and will have medical personnel come to the "Las Americas Hotel" to perform testing for those who wish to have it done. Please let us know your travel dates on the RSVP link, so that we can accurately predict number of tests that will be needed.
We have already seen some decent deals for flights going down to CTG from ATL. If you go on google flights, you can set price alerts for your preferred routes. Also, don't be afraid to get creative and book two one ways, or different airports of entry/departure. Sometimes, different airline one-ways can be cheaper than a round trip.
To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates. American citizens do not need a Visa to visit Colombia.
As soon as possible. We have a reserved a group block at Hotel Las Americas, but rooms will go quickly so we suggest securing your room as soon as possible. To book, please go to "TRAVEL" and follow the link provided under "Hotel Las Americas". Please contact us if you have any questions prior to booking.
We recommend you download the app called "Whatsapp" to text and call when you are in Cartagena. This apps works great with wifi. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Yes, credit cards are accepted in all major shops, restaurants, and hotels (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most common). Most credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees, but we recommend double checking with your bank and telling them that you will be traveling abroad to Colombia so they don't freeze your card. While many places accept credit cards, you will need cash for taxis and to purchase items from street vendors and any trips outside of the city.
The Colombian Peso is the official currency and the symbols are "$", "COP", or "COL$". Check out https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter
ATM'S are your best bet for exchanging money, as the fees are significantly less than those at the airport and most exchange houses in the walled city. Instead of converting US $ at the currency exchanges, we recommend getting Colombian pesos at an ATM (such as Bancolombia) instead. The exchange rate ATM machines provide will usually be very close to the actual exchange rates that can be seen on XE. Just remember that there are ATM usage fees for each withdrawal so try to plan your spending ahead.
Cartagena's walled city is perfectly safe and the safest metropolis in Colombia. In general, the further from Old Town, the less savory the neighborhoods. As in any other major city, stay aware, be cognizant of your surroundings and keep your belongings close. In the off chance that you run into any trouble, here are some emergency numbers everyone should know: National Emergency Number: 123 Tourist Police: (1) 3374413 Information: 113 U.S. Embassy in Colombia: (+57) (1) 275-2000
Stick to bottled water. You're fine drinking ice in cocktails and juice at a nice restaurant, as it's safe to assume they're using filtered water for their ice. In Cartagena, restaurants will serve both still water (sin gas) and sparkling (agua con gas). So be sure to specify which you prefer when placing an order
The Old City is full of tourists and the locals know it. You will be approached by some street vendors. It's inevitable. They'll try to sell you hats, sunglasses, tobacco, etc. At times, it can seem a bit overwhelming but all you need to do is keep walking, look straight ahead, and say "no gracias". They'll move onto the next customer. To the extent you want to buy a souvenir, remember everything is 100% negotiable.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12CqBGLHfXp-1oVDnw-2rOo-9MY9YUvwcQjjAHzlt45A/edit?usp=sharing