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Language: Spanish is the official language.
Currency: The unit of currency is the Colombian Peso (COP), which is divided into 100 centavos. Banks have no fixed policy on exchanging cash and travelers cheques. Some provide the service, some not, and different banks can differ on this from day to day. Generally foreign exchange is only offered in the early morning. Cash can be exchanged at casas de cambio, or money exchange bureaux, located in cities and border towns. US Dollars are preferred for both cash and travelers cheque exchanges. Travelers cheques are difficult to exchange
outside of Bogota. Visitors are warned to beware of fake US Dollars, which are printed in Colombia. Credit cards, especially Visa, are becoming more widely accepted and are welcome at top hotels and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agencies. In the main towns and cities ATMs are becoming more prevalent, but cards should be used with caution for security reasons.
Time: Local time is GMT -5.
Electricity: Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachment plugs and three-pin (two flat blades with round grounding pin) plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for Colombia is +57. The outgoing code depends on which network is used to dial out on (e.g. 005 for Orbitel), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00544 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Bogota is 1, but the access code to make a call within the country from another area also depends on what network is used (e.g. (05)1 for Orbitel or (09)1 for Telecom). The country has cellular telephone operators with GSM networks. Mobile phone companies have active roaming agreements with many international network operators. Colombia, particularly Bogota, is well connected to the Internet with dozens of Internet cafes throughout the city, some doubling as bars.
Duty Free: Travelers to Colombia over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco; perfume for personal use; and 2 bottles of alcohol per passenger.
Tourist OfficeColombia Tourism, Bogota: +57 (0)1 212 6315 or www.turismocolombia.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 119
Embassies
Embassy of Colombia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 387 8338.
Embassy of Colombia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 9177.
Embassy of Colombia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 230 3760.
Consulate-General of Columbia, Sydney, Australia: +61 (02) 9955 0311.
Embassy of Colombia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0211.
Embassy of Colombia, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7589 9177.
Consulate of Colombia, Nelson, New Zealand: +64 (0)3 545 1154.
United States Embassy, Bogota: +57 (0)1 315 0811.
British Embassy, Bogota: +57 (0)1 326 8300.
Canadian Embassy, Bogota: +57 (0)1 657 9800
Australian Consulate, Bogota: +57 (0)1 530 1046.
South African Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela (also responsible for Colombia): +58 (0)212 991 4622.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Bogota: +57 (0)1 446 6114.
New Zealand Consulate, Bogota: +57 (0)310 230 7795.
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