Travel Advisory: Because of sporadic guerrilla activity, travel in certain areas may be hazardous. Before traveling to Colombia, it is recommended that persons check with the nearest U.S. Consulate or with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, in Washington, D.C., for the latest information.

Climate and clothing: Climatic variations depend on altitude. Knits and lightweight woolens are suitable in Bogota.

Customs: A passport is required for travel to Colombia. Tourists may enter and stay in Colombia for 30 days on a tourist card provided by the airlines serving Colombia, providing the tourist has a booked round trip passage. For a stay beyond 30 days, tourists must obtain a visa from the nearest Colombian Embassy or Consulate.

Health: Medical facilities are satisfactory; many doctors have been trained in the United States and speak English. Common medicines are available. Tapwater is not always safe in large cities; food should be prepared carefully.

Telecommunications: Long-distance telephone and telegraph service is available. Colombia is in the eastern standard time zone but does not use daylight saving time during the summer.

Transportation: Flights to Bogota, Barranquilla, Cali, Medellin, and Cartagena are easy to arrange from the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Local air service is also available. Buses provide service throughout the country. Taxis provide the most reliable public transportation in cities.

Tourist attractions: The Bogota Gold Museum and the Caribbean resort of Cartagena, with its 17th century fortifications.

National holidays: Establishments, including the U.S. Embassy, may be closed on the following days:

*Date given for 1988; exact day varies each year.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, 1990.