Arriving
Immigration
US citizens are NOT required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. During the immigration process you will receive an entry tourist stamp valid for up to 60 days. The official will ask you how long you intend to stay and may give you a shorter date.
The airport in Cartagena is very quaint, small. Immigration is usually quick.
The airport in Bogota is the country's largest airport and very busy at all hours of the day. Please allow at least 1 hour to process through immigration if you have a connecting flight from Bogota.
Connecting Flights
If you are connecting on a flight by Avianca/TACA, please note they use Terminal 2 for domestic flights. You cannot walk there. There is a free shuttle (Bus Satelite) that picks up outside Terminal 1 (Paradero 1/Stop 1) that runs every 20 minutes to Terminal 2 (Paradero 7/Stop 7). If you have very little time, hire a taxi instead for US$3 or COP5000.
Collecting Baggage
In Cartagena there are "official" baggage handlers. You are NOT required to use them, but they will attempt to help you. Technically the service is free, but they WILL expect a tip. US$1 is sufficient if you wish to tip.
In Bogota there are baggage handlers, but typically they will not bother you. Be cautious and watch carefully for your bag. Allow no one to handle it for you.
Ideally, never check baggage if you don't have to.
Leaving the Airport
Cartagena (Rafael Nunez)
Small airport and very difficult to get lost. There are however 2 terminals, one for domestic and another for international arrivals. Taxi drivers will converge on you and/or your baggage handler will direct you towards a waiting taxi. DOT NOT FOLLOW. Look for an official taxi booth.
If arriving international, walk to your left after exiting and look for an official taxi booth. If it is not there (the airport is under construction), you may have to go into the domestic baggage area to find an official booth. Those arriving domestic, the booth is located in the baggage area. Give the attendant your destination. They will print a receipt with the proper price for you to show to your taxi driver. There is NO additional charge, only the price on the receipt. Taxis are Colombian Pesos only. No tip is expected or required. See the section on money regarding ATMs if arriving without Colombian Pesos.
The airport is located 10-15 minutes from the city of Cartagena. A taxi ride is COP 10500 (US$6) to the "Old City", COP 16000 (US$9) to Bocagrande (where most everyone is staying). If you would like private transportation, we can arrange those services for you as well for approximately COP 45000 ($25).
If you are staying in one of the apartments reserved by the McCarthy family, the address is "Edificio Palmetto, Bocagrande, Ave el Malecón entre Calles 8 y 9".
Bogota (El Dorado)
A very busy airport. If arriving international, the taxi stand is on your right as you exit the doors. If arriving domestic, the taxi stand is on your left as you exit the doors. DO NOT ACCEPT any offers from taxi drivers who approach you. DO NOT ACCEPT any offers from hotel drivers who approach you. EVEN if they look nice, are dressed in a suit, with a big smile on their face. At the taxi stand, give your destination to the attendant and receive a receipt with the correct price. There is NO additional charge, no matter what, only the price on the receipt.
A taxi into the city should cost no more than COP 25000 (US$14). Taxis are Colombian Pesos only.
Pay attention to the taxi driver and the road. They will drive crazy and you may become scared. Its okay! Taxi drivers are aggresive, but accident free.