FAQs

Question

Why is the wedding in Cartegena?

Answer

Colombia has a very special place in Paula's heart, as her mom is Colombian and she would spend every summer in Bogota as a child visiting family. After getting engaged in Aaron's favorite place - Israel - it only made sense to have the wedding in Colombia. While we originally planned to get married in Miami, we settled on Cartegena because we believe that the entire weekend will be extra special with all of our loved ones. Add in the fact that Cartegena is a popular wedding destination, easy to travel to (especially from South Florida), and a fun, vibrant city, it became the obvious choice to celebrate our marriage.

Question

What is Colombia's passport requirements?

Answer

To enter Colombia, you must have a valid passport and it must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates (i.e. it needs to be valid through December 2023).

Question

Why is the wedding on a Sunday?

Answer

In Judaism, you can't get married on Shabbat (the Sabbath), which is from Friday evening until Saturday evening. For that reason, Jewish weddings typically happen on Sunday or any other day during the week.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

In June, the temperatures are typically a high of 89°F and low of 79°F with humidity similar to Miami.

Question

Is Cartagena safe? What is the number for 911?

Answer

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. What is the number for 911? 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

Question

WHAT CURRENCY IS USED IN COLOMBIA?

Answer

The official currency of Cartagena is the Colombian Peso, which you may see designated as "$," "COP," or "COL$." The meaning of periods and commas when it comes currency is the opposite of that in the US. For example, $15.000 = fifteen-thousand Colombian pesos (about $5.00 USD).

Question

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY IN COLOMBIA?

Answer

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.

Question

Can I USE MY CREDIT CARD? DO I NEED CASH?

Answer

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 mom-and-pop shops. You will also need cash if you plan to take any trips outside of the city.

Question

DO WE NEED TO BE COVID VACCINATED OR TESTED TO ENTER THE COUNTRY?

Answer

The guidelines are frequently changing but please refer to link below for the most updated testing requirement to enter the country. https://co.usembassy.gov/health-alert%E2%80%AFnew-covid-19-entry-requirements-colombia/

Question

Do I need a visa to travel to Colombia?

Answer

Citizens of the United States and Israel DO NOT REQUIRE a tourist visa for travel to Colombia unless they are planning to say longer than 90 days.

Question

No hablo espanol

Answer

No need to worry. Cartagena is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Colombia, well-equipped to handle visitors from all over the world. While English is widely spoken throughout the city, be prepared for some shops and street vendors that only speak Spanish.

Question

IS IT SAFE TO HAIL A TAXI? HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?

Answer

It is safe to hail a taxi, especially from landmarks. When you arrive to Cartagena Airport, do make sure you get a taxi cab from inside the airport, don't go for the guys trying to grab you calling themselves uber. Taxi drivers have set fares to the most popular destinations, so you should confirm the amount before you leave. Private taxi companies (that work directly with hotels) are usually white and will charge a little bit more, but rides are comparatively very inexpensive. Note that taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeters. So, be careful of inflated taxi fares in Cartagena. To make sure you are not surprised at the fare at the destination when in Cartagena, always make sure to ask the fare to the destination before getting in a taxi. You will need cash for the taxis so I would suggest converting $20 either at your US airport or at cash register in Cartagena just to have some cash at hand once you arrive. The rest can be obtained from the Old City for a better conversion rate.