Colombia > Arriving in Bogota > edit history
By Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) on Nov 18, 2008, 11:06. Reason: formatting
Title: Arriving in Bogota
Place:
Description:
This page is a cheatsheet for your first arrival in Bogota. Print it out and read it on the plane. Arriving in a new city and a new country can be a bit bewildering, so here's what you need to know.
Body:
##Immigration.
When you get out of the plane, before you can get your luggage you need to go through immigration. Mosts tourists don't need a visa.
Before arriving (in the plane), you fill in the customs cards they will hand you in the plane.
Once arrived, you will line up, and the immigration officer will ask you a few questions like:
* Why are you here? - "Turismo".
* How long are you staying? "Until x date" (ask for 90 days from now (the maximum you can get on a tourist visa) - you will get hopefully 90 days in the country and later you can get 30 day extensions that you have to pay for. The DAS is often rather random and they might only give you 60 or 30 days (1 traveller just got 15 days!). Just ask for 90 days, with a bit of luck you'll get it.).
* Where are you staying? - Have the address and telephone number of a hotel (any hotel is fine) ready.
That's usually it, they'll stamp your passport and let you through. Then you can go and pick up your luggage.
Next, you need to get some local currency (pesos). There are 3 casas the cambio on the ground floor that change cash, and there are a bunch of ATM's on the upper level. The rates are pretty ok, it's fine to change money here. ATM rates are usually significantly better than exchange rates for cash and Colombian banks do not charge any extra for ATM withdrawals. Be aware of additional fees that you card issuer might charge for international withdrawals.
##Getting a taxi.
Yes, it's very safe to take a taxi to your hostel/hotel.
After picking up your luggage, go outside. You will see a lot of people waiting for other people, and some signs pointing to TAXI's. Follow the signs (to the left) and go outside of the airport building. There's a little official taxi window where you tell them where you're going ("La Candelaria" if you're staying in that area) and they'll give you a piece of paper with the price. You then go in one of the taxis that's waiting there and show the taxi driver the paper. The taxi driver will then take you to your address, and once you get there, you pay the driver.
A taxi to La Candelaria will cost about US$ 5 (I don't remember the exact fare unfortunately).
* The platypus hostel has a detailed guide on arriving as well: http://platypusbogota.com/maps.php (with pictures!)
By Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) on Nov 18, 2008, 10:52. Reason: improved formatting
Title: Arriving in Bogota
Place:
Description:
This page is a cheatsheet for your first arrival in Bogota. Print it out and read it on the plane. Arriving in a new city and a new country can be a bit bewildering, so here's what you need to know.
Body:
Immigration.
When you get out of the plane, before you can get your luggage you need to go through immigration. Mosts tourists don't need a visa.
Before arriving (in the plane), you fill in the customs cards they will hand you in the plane.
Once arrived, you will line up, and the immigration officer will ask you a few questions like:
* Why are you here? - "Turismo".
* How long are you staying? "Until x date" (ask for 90 days from now (the maximum you can get on a tourist visa) - you will get hopefully 90 days in the country and later you can get 30 day extensions that you have to pay for. The DAS is often rather random and they might only give you 60 or 30 days (1 traveller just got 15 days!). Just ask for 90 days, with a bit of luck you'll get it.).
* Where are you staying? - Have the address and telephone number of a hotel (any hotel is fine) ready.
That's usually it, they'll stamp your passport and let you through. Then you can go and pick up your luggage.
Next, you need to get some local currency (pesos). There are 3 casas the cambio on the ground floor that change cash, and there are a bunch of ATM's on the upper level. The rates are pretty ok, it's fine to change money here. ATM rates are usually significantly better than exchange rates for cash and Colombian banks do not charge any extra for ATM withdrawals. Be aware of additional fees that you card issuer might charge for international withdrawals.
Getting a taxi.
Yes, it's very safe to take a taxi to your hostel/hotel.
After picking up your luggage, go outside. You will see a lot of people waiting for other people, and some signs pointing to TAXI's. Follow the signs (to the left) and go outside of the airport building. There's a little official taxi window where you tell them where you're going ("La Candelaria" if you're staying in that area) and they'll give you a piece of paper with the price. You then go in one of the taxis that's waiting there and show the taxi driver the paper. The taxi driver will then take you to your address, and once you get there, you pay the driver.
A taxi to La Candelaria will cost about US$ 5 (I don't remember the exact fare unfortunately).
* The platypus hostel has a detailed guide on arriving as well: http://platypusbogota.com/maps.php (with pictures!)
By viajero123 on Nov 18, 2008, 09:48. Reason: Added info on ATM withdrawals and chaged immigration forms ffor customs forms (the form you fill out in the plane is a DIAN form)
Title: Arriving in Bogota
Place:
Description:
This page is a cheatsheet for your first arrival in Bogota. Print it out and read it on the plane. Arriving in a new city and a new country can be a bit bewildering, so here's what you need to know.
Body:
Immigration.
When you get out of the plane, before you can get your luggage you need to go through immigration. Mosts tourists don't need a visa.
Before arriving (in the plane), you fill in the customs cards they will hand you in the plane.
Once arrived, you will line up, and the immigration officer will ask you a few questions like:
* Why are you here? - "Turismo".
* How long are you staying? "Until x date" (ask for 90 days from now (the maximum you can get on a tourist visa) - you will get hopefully 90 days in the country and later you can get 30 day extensions that you have to pay for. The DAS is often rather random and they might only give you 60 or 30 days (1 traveller just got 15 days!). Just ask for 90 days, with a bit of luck you'll get it.).
* Where are you staying? - Have the address and telephone number of a hotel (any hotel is fine) ready.
That's usually it, they'll stamp your passport and let you through. Then you can go and pick up your luggage.
Next, you need to get some local currency (pesos). There are 3 casas the cambio on the ground floor that change cash, and there are a bunch of ATM's on the upper level. The rates are pretty ok, it's fine to change money here. ATM rates are usually significantly better than exchange rates for cash and Colombian banks do not charge any extra for ATM withdrawals. Be aware of additional fees that you card issuer might charge for international withdrawals.
Getting a taxi.
Yes, it's very safe to take a taxi to your hostel/hotel.
After picking up your luggage, go outside. You will see a lot of people waiting for other people, and some signs pointing to TAXI's. Follow the signs (to the left) and go outside of the airport building. There's a little official taxi window where you tell them where you're going ("La Candelaria" if you're staying in that area) and they'll give you a piece of paper with the price. You then go in one of the taxis that's waiting there and show the taxi driver the paper. The taxi driver will then take you to your address, and once you get there, you pay the driver.
A taxi to La Candelaria will cost about US$ 5 (I don't remember the exact fare unfortunately).
See also
* The platypus hostel has a detailed guide on arriving as well: http://platypusbogota.com/maps.php (with pictures!)
By Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) on May 27, 2008, 20:29. Reason: New travelguide created.
Title: Arriving in Bogota
Place:
Description:
This page is a cheatsheet for your first arrival in Bogota. Print it out and read it on the plane. Arriving in a new city and a new country can be a bit bewildering, so here's what you need to know.
Body:
Immigration.
When you get out of the plane, before you can get your luggage you need to go through immigration. Mosts tourists don't need a visa.
Before arriving (in the plane), you fill in the immigration cards they will hand you in the plane.
Once arrived, you will line up, and the immigration officer will ask you a few questions like:
* Why are you here? - "Turismo".
* How long are you staying? "Until x date" (ask for 90 days from now (the maximum you can get on a tourist visa) - you will get hopefully 90 days in the country and later you can get 30 day extensions that you have to pay for. The DAS is often rather random and they might only give you 60 or 30 days (1 traveller just got 15 days!). Just ask for 90 days, with a bit of luck you'll get it.).
* Where are you staying? - Have the address and telephone number of a hotel (any hotel is fine) ready.
That's usually it, they'll stamp your passport and let you through. Then you can go and pick up your luggage.
Next, you need to get some local currency (pesos). There are 3 casas the cambio on the ground floor that change cash, and there are a bunch of ATM's on the upper level. The rates are pretty ok, it's fine to change money here.
Getting a taxi.
Yes, it's very safe to take a taxi to your hostel/hotel.
After picking up your luggage, go outside. You will see a lot of people waiting for other people, and some signs pointing to TAXI's. Follow the signs (to the left) and go outside of the airport building. There's a little official taxi window where you tell them where you're going ("La Candelaria" if you're staying in that area) and they'll give you a piece of paper with the price. You then go in one of the taxis that's waiting there and show the taxi driver the paper. The taxi driver will then take you to your address, and once you get there, you pay the driver.
A taxi to La Candelaria will cost about US$ 5 (I don't remember the exact fare unfortunately).
See also
* The platypus hostel has a detailed guide on arriving as well: http://platypusbogota.com/maps.php (with pictures!)
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