Colombia with Girls Talk Money!

For the most up to date entry requirements for this tour, please visit this page.

Complete Your Checklist Before heading to the airport, complete the tasks below and check them off in your Online Account Checklist. If you have any questions, give us a call at 617-619-1411. We’re available 24/7 to make sure you have the Best. Trip. Ever.

Important Documents

• Passport: Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the tour return date.
• Entry Requirements: Travelers are responsible for monitoring and complying with all entry requirements based on their tour itinerary (including countries in transit). You can view the most up to date entry requirements for this tour here.
• Travel Insurance: While travel insurance is not required, we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain coverage before departure. Check out cost-effective Travel Protection, designed to meet the needs of EF travelers, here.
• Health Insurance: You will need to carry your primary insurance card with you while overseas. This is a critical item in the event of a medical emergency.

Tour Preparation

• Talk with your doctor: It is highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about your travel plans. If you are taking any medications, be certain to bring enough to last throughout your trip.
• Traveling with allergies? Let your Trip Consultant and Tour Director know of any dietary restrictions/allergies and we will do what we can to accommodate for any included meals.
• Request a roommate: Double-check with us and your Tour Director that they have your rooming status on file. We will assign a roommate for you if you do not submit a specific request.
• Get an international data plan: We recommend getting an international data plan for your mobile device so you can stay connected while on the road. Please talk with your phone provider for your best options.
  • Wi-Fi will be in some hotels, restaurants, and bars, though charges may apply and it may be slower than in the U.S.
  • Wi-Fi is not available on the bus.
• Get the EF Ultimate Break app: Your trip's group will be able to connect on the app before you meet IRL. Don't miss out! Meet other travelers, get updates from your Tour Director, see flights and accommodations, and more. If you're having trouble, give us a call at 617-619-1411.

International and Domestic Travel Flights When preparing for your international flight to Colombia, check your online account 30 days prior to departure for your flight itinerary and confirmation number. With this information, you can check in to your flight 24 hours prior to departure. If you prefer to check in at the airport, plan to arrive 2.5 – 3 hours before departure.

All flight information is online (e-ticket) via your account and the airline’s website. You will not receive a physical paper ticket from us.

• If your flight is canceled or delayed: Don’t worry! We design the first day of tour as an arrival day in case of flight delays or cancelations. Work with the airline to get re-booked on the next available flight, then let your Tour Director know your new arrival time.
• If you slept in and missed your flight: You should still talk to the airline and see if they can get you on the next available option. Tears may help in this case.
• Internal flights: Travel between cities on this tour takes places on smaller commercial flights, and you’ll receive information for your internal flights from your Tour Director on tour.

Arriving in Medellín If you booked flights with EF Ultimate Break, your transfers to and from the hotel when you arrive in and depart from Medellín are included. When you land in Medellín, an EF representative will meet you in the airport. If you have difficulty finding your group or representative to bring you to the hotel, call our team at +1-617-619-1411.

If you have booked your own flight arrangements or have extended your travels before the tour dates, you will need to make your own way to the first hotel. Accommodation details will be available in your online account 30 days prior to departure.

Transportation & Sightseeing On this trip, you’ll take a private bus and internal flights. The beauty of travel is that you get to explore a new place, but note that it takes time and energy to see everything worth seeing!

• Prepare to walk between 4-6 miles per day, especially when sightseeing. We’ve packed a lot into this trip, so be ready for a fast-paced adventure!
• Internal flights are more volatile than large international routes, so remain patient in the event of delays or cancellations. We’ll work with your Tour Director to rearrange accordingly in the event of a delay or cancellation on tour!
• Bring motion-sickness medicine with you if you’re prone to getting carsick. Some roads in Colombia are in more run-down conditions than you may be used to.
• We recommend you ask all taxi drivers to use their taximetro (meter). If they refuse, you should get out and find another taxi.
• It’s a good idea to bring a great book with you, or download your favorite Spotify playlist for transfer days!

General Recommendations Fact: Travel is exhilarating. And FOMO is real. So, we understand why you don’t want to miss a second of the action. But there’s a difference between maximizing your time and spreading yourself too thin. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy on tour:

• Sleep: Flying across the globe, changing time zones, and being constantly on the move can take a toll on your body. Make sure you get the rest your body needs. If that means missing a night out for some well-earned rest, or having a little afternoon nap, so be it. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Be Prepared: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
• Take time for yourself: Group travel is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing quite like exploring a foreign country with a group of like-minded people. That said, it’s okay to take time for yourself to relax and reflect on your experience. Here are a couple mindfulness apps you can take with you on the road:
  • MindShift: Focused on anxiety management, this app has an array of cognitive behavior therapy features including journaling, goal-setting, calming audio, and a community forum.
  • Ten Percent Happier: Filled with videos and guided meditations intended to help with everything ranging from sleep to stress reduction.

Destination-Specific Information There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Colombia, however, we recommend you consult your physician or local travel clinic, and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) at lease 60 days prior to departure for the latest updates and vaccine / entry requirements.

• Consult your doctor or healthcare provider at least 60 days prior to departure for the latest updates and entry / vaccine requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
• Drink bottled water. The tap water is technically safe to drink in Colombia, but we recommend travelers purchase bottled water when given the chance.
• Take proper care with sun exposure, the sun is very strong in some of the areas you are visiting
• Insect repellent: Hot temps and humid air are a perfect recipe for wildlife and insects. Prepare to encounter bugs in the air, beach, hotels, and more, but don’t let this harsh your vacation vibe! Bring your bug spray to keep them at a friendly distance.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
• Public restrooms in Colombia can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.

With a global presence of more than 46,000 people in over 115 countries and regions, we’re fully committed to your safety. From your first flight all the way through to your farewell dinner, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Tour Director or your Trip Consultant if you need a helping hand. Keep these extra tips in mind so you can #travelsmart:

• Keep your bag/purse in front of you and your phone zipped inside when you’re not using it. Leave your laptop at home, store valuables at the hotel in locked luggage or the safe deposit box. Refrain from carrying large sums of money or wearing valuable jewelry.
• Pick-pocketing is fairly common in bigger cities. Always watch your belongings and keep an eye out for one another.
• Use the buddy system. Stay in groups and watch out for each other, especially at night—no one gets left behind!
• Be smart about alcohol consumption. Watch your drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t leave the bar alone with someone you just met.
• Before you go out, grab a business card at your hotel so that you always have the address handy for getting back later.
• At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi, and always have cash on hand.
• Save our 24/7 number in your phone: +1–617–619–1411

We at EF will help facilitate any testing requirements while on tour, however it is the travelers responsibility to pay for these tests and it is our recommendation that you budget roughly 150 USD total. Please note that non-boosted travelers may be required to do additional testing to enter places such as restaurants, and/or major attractions.

Remember that you know your spending habits best and not everyone’s spending habits are the same. These recommendations are based on a traveler who says yes to any and all activities while on tour.

Budgeting

The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP$). Many restaurants and stores accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), but cash is preferred for smaller markets or local food experiences.

See more money tips below:

• We strongly recommend exchanging your cash into the local currency before you arrive in Bogotá. Once you’re on the tour though, ATMs are available and they’re the easiest way to get cash while abroad.
• There are paper notes of COP$1000, COP$2000, COP$5000, COP$10,000, COP$20,000, COP$50,000 and COP$100,000.
• Bargaining is limited to markets and street stalls. if there are prices marked, bargaining is not practiced.
• Tipping at restaurants is common; we recommend leaving 10% tip if it’s not already added to the bill. Tipping for taxis is not common or required, rather, you should round to the nearest 500 or 1000 pesos.
• Budget around $50-$60 per day for meals, drinks, souvenirs, and tips or extra activities.
• We recommend tipping your Tour Director $42 at the end of the trip, plus additional tips for local guides.
• Let your bank and credit card companies know your travel plans ahead of time to avoid potential complications while abroad.

For weight and size restrictions please refer to your airline’s website. Flight information will be available 30 days prior to departure in your online account. Below you'll find some critical packing information and suggestions.

• Please note: The internal flight on the tour has different luggage requirements and only allow one checked bag OR carry-on item and personal item. Travelers are responsible for any additional baggage fees incurred.
• The most important piece of advice we can give you: Pack light! Your international airline ticket does include a checked bag, but years of customer feedback tells us a carry-on is the way to go. You may need to carry your suitcase where buses and elevators cannot, so make sure you are comfortable carrying everything you bring yourself.
  • You've probably heard the hacks about rolling clothes and using packing cubes a million times, but there's a reason for that! It really does help.
  • If you choose to pack all of your toiletries, don't bring your regular-sized bottles from home. Offload some of that into travel-sized containers.
  • Choose your luggage wisely. We recommend a roller carry-on bag and a backpack as your personal item.
  • Choose shoes carefully as well. They're some of the bulkiest items you can pack, so we recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of climate-appropriate shoes (boots or sandals depending on the destination and time of year). We also recommend a pair of closed-toe water shoes if your itinerary has any water activities.
  • Make a packing list of must-haves and stick to it. If you have a little extra space in your bags once all your must-haves are packed, then consider adding in a few nice extras.
• Unfortunately, luggage can get lost. It’s a painful situation no matter what, but here are tips to ease some of the hassle:
  • DO NOT put important medications in a checked bag. If your luggage is lost, this could become a dangerous issue.
  • Even if you put most of your clothes in a checked bag, put a couple outfits in your carry-on along with your toiletries.
  • If you are forced to check you carry-on at the gate, be sure to remove essentials and valuables before handing it over.
• Carefully review TSA restrictions when packing. There are a number of items not allowed in your carry-on and liquids have certain restrictions.
• Check out the local weather; we haven't figured out how to control the weather yet so best to be prepared and plan accordingly.
• Don't forget: Outlets overseas can differ from the US, so be sure to pack the right power adapters/converters!

It’s fun and helpful to try your hand at the local language, Spanish! Try out some of these popular words and phrases:

• Hello: Hola
• How are you? ¿Cómo estás?
• Goodbye: Adiós
• Thank you: Gracias
• Please: Por favor
• I’m (your name): Soy (your name)
• I’m from (country of residence): Soy de (country of residence)
• How much? Cuánto cuesta?
• Where is the..?: Dónde está...?
  • the bathroom: el baño
  • the bus stop: la parada del autobús
  • the pharmacy: la farmacia

You may be familiar with Colombia’s violent past, but it has made great efforts to move away from that history and focus on its endless cultural offerings. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about its history on guided tours and enjoy the modern paradise it has become today. Locals in Colombia are laid-back and friendly. Music is playing in every restaurant and on every street corner. Aromas of fresh arepas are floating through the air. Color is everywhere. Read on for more local tips!

• When members of the opposite sex or two women meet it is customary to exchange a single kiss on the right cheek. Men shake hands.
• It's polite to greet everyone in the room when entering with a simple "Buenos dias" or "Buenas tardes". This also applies when approaching someone on the street for directions or information.
• Be considerate when taking photos of locals, and know that some people might not want their photo taken at all, or will ask for a payment in return for the photo. When in doubt, just ask the person if you can take a photo of them.
• Nightlife in Colombia doesn’t typically begin until 10 or 11pm. You’ll find lots of locals and tourists in the same places, dancing to reggaeton, electronic, and more!
• “Hot water” really means temperate water in Colombia. Prepare for lukewarm showers!

You’ll sample a variety of other local dishes on your trip, but read on for all the tips, tricks, and delicacies you must try.

• Coffee: Where else to drink coffee than in Colombia, the country with one of the world's largest productions? Colombians usually drink coffee called tinto, a small, cheap and sweet cup you can buy along the road.
• Empanadas: A perfect on-the-move snack! Empanadas are stuffed pastries with choice of chicken, beef, cheese, or veggies.
• Ajiaco: Popular in Bogota, this is a warm, hearty stew that compliments the surrounding chilly mountainous city.
• Arroz Con Coco: A specialty in Cartagena, this is coconut rice, typically served with a veggie salad and grilled fish.
• Ceviche: Raw seafood ‘cooked’ in lime and chili - trust us, try it!
• Sancocho: A traditional Colombian stew. The heartiest is made with tripe.
• Chocolate con queso: Chocolate and cheese. Insanity? Or brilliant? Try it for breakfast or an afternoon snack and decide for yourself!
• Cazuela de mariscos: A hot seafood soup made with coconut milk, veggies, spices, prawns, and more! We recommend you try it as a beach treat… seriously.
• Fruits & Veggies: Bananas, passion fruit, avocados, tomatoes, pineapple, lychee, these aren’t the fruits and veggies your mom told you to eat. They’re 1000x better.
• Mango Biche con Sal y Limon: Mango with salt and lemon. A popular street food in Cartagena!

If you did not purchase EF Ultimate Break Optional Excursions before the trip began, you can log into your Online Account and do so on tour. You can also talk to your Tour Director on tour and they can help you get enrolled. If you’d like to plan something else during your free time, connect with your Tour Director before doing so; they sometimes arrange extra activities for the group during free time. Prices for these optional excursions will increase on tour, so please check your online account for available add-ons.