Vibrant Colombia

Fly into Bogotá Airport (BOG) and fly out of Rafael Nuñez International Airport in Cartagena (CTG).

You do not need a visa if you’re visiting as a tourist from the EU, UK, USA, Australia or Canada for up to 90 days. Please check with your local consulate/embassy if the country you are travelling from requires you to have a visa. 

Between 24 hours and one hour before departure, you must fill out the ‘Check-Mig’ form, available on the Migración Colombia website. You will receive a confirmation email that you will need to present upon arrival in Colombia.

We recommend that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport and can show a return ticket.

Before 5 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 7 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the airport.

There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 15 minutes away from the hotel.

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. However, your Pack Leader will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which will cost around  30,000 COP, the equivalent of approximately 10 USD.

Yes, and even more so on a guided group tour with Flash Pack. Colombia is one of the world’s friendliest countries, and whilst there are dangerous areas, your tour has been carefully planned with the help of expert Pack Leaders on the ground. We’re confident you’ll get nothing but enjoyment from your time in Colombia.

We already include Pack Leader and driver tips and most meals however we recommend around 150,000 COP, the equivalent of 40 USD per day.

We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed so only a moderate level of fitness is required. However, there is a good amount of walking (at your own pace) and a climb up Piedra del Peñol on Day 3 which has 654 steps to the top, so good, worn-in walking shoes are advised.

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting

Your Colombian adventure will involve a variety of activities, so you’ll need to pack a range of clothes – including a smart outfit for eating out at restaurants (formal dress for women; closed shoes, long pants and shirts for men). Generally, we recommend bringing light and breathable tops and shorts that will keep you cool, but some warmer layers may be required in the evenings.

What you pack is personal to you and our list is certainly not exhaustive. If you have any questions about what to pack for your trip to Colombia, please get in touch with one of our friendly Trip Experts.

Baggage

• A large backpack or suitcase. It’s up to you whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase, but either way, a soft-sided bag is best for packing into transfer vehicles.
• A day bag. This will need to be big enough to fit your daily essentials in, such as your water bottle and your camera.

Clothing

• Lightweight tops. T-shirts work well, but you should also bring a lightweight long-sleeved top to keep the sun off your skin if required.
• Shorts/skirts are ideal for keeping you cool in the Colombian heat.
• Activewear. Breathable and light materials are perfect for most activities.
• Swimwear.
• Sunhat/sunglasses.
• A poncho. You might not need one, but there is a slight chance of rain all year round in Colombia.
• You may want to bring a jumper/sweater and a pair of trousers/pants for any cooler evenings.
• Linen pants are always handy for keeping the sun off of your legs.
• An evening outfit. You’ll need want some nicer clothes for going out in the cities.

Shoes

• Comfortable walking shoes. Sports trainers with good grip should be fine.
• Comfortable sneakers. You’ll need breathable, closed shoes for everyday use.
• Sandals/flip-flops. It’s a good idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for relaxing in.
• Evening shoes. You’ll need some smart closed shoes to wear out in the cities in the evenings.

Accessories

• Electricals, chargers and accessories – phone, camera, chargers etc.
• Plug socket adaptor. Type A and B plugs are standard in Colombia with two flat parallel pins.
• Refillable water bottle. This will reduce your group’s plastic footprint.
• Book or music. For transfers and any relaxed evenings, you might want a book or some music.
• Eye mask and earplugs. If you’re a light sleeper, you may feel more comfortable bringing these as a precaution.
• Beach towel. Hotels will provide bath towels, but you will need a towel for the water-based activities and for swimming in the sea. Travel towels work well and pack down very small to save space.

Toiletries/medical

• Any personal medication you require.
• Personal toiletries – including a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, hairbrush etc.
• Painkillers.
• Anti-bacterial gel.
• Plenty of insect repellent.
• Lip balm with SPF.
• Moisturiser.
• High SPF factor sun cream.

Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travelers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.

We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.