The best way to go to Colombia is to come prepared so that you can relax once you arrive. There are plenty of beautiful spots in this country, but you need to know where to go before you arrive so that you do not waste any of your vacation time. You should also be informed of what kind of money to take. Typically, U.S. dollars will not work too well here, so be sure to find out what the currency in this nation is, and whether there is a safe way to send money to Colombia before you land.
The currency in this area is the Colombian peso, so be set to exchange your U.S. dollars for it before you try to acquire anything. One thing to be aware of is that this country suffers from a soaring crime rate, especially when it comes to funds. There are many people who make a living making counterfeit cash, so be sure to count your money plenty of times before stepping away from the exchange desk, and do not even consider exchanging your money on the street. Instead, use banks like Banco colombia in order to get the correct amount of money.
Due to the high crime rates involving money, it may be safest to simply bring a prepaid debit card with you. This permits you to send money to Colombia before you even land, as you can send funds from your bank account to the card for a $5 fee. Then when you land in this nation, you can go to an ATM to remove money in the form of Colombian pesos. Be sure to only withdraw money in broad daylight, inside a bank if possible, as debit card fraud and robberies are known to occur in this nation. If for some reason you are hesitant about using a prepaid debit card to send money to Colombia, know that you can also bring traveler’s checks. However, they are not accepted by everyone, so be sure to bring cash or a card with you, as well.
Bogota is known as one of the biggest cities in this nation, so many tourists head here to start their trip. You can find various restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and other things to do in this city. Cartagena is known for combining the old world with the new, with lots of impressive restaurants and restored older buildings and houses to marvel at. Medellin is another city to check out since it is rather tourist-friendly and clean. No matter where you go in this country, you will find that it is nice to be prepared by having an idea of how to send money to Colombia ahead of time when possible.
