Overhead view of Bogotá
Being unable to type with my left index finger, courtesy of a late-night cooking accident (see healthcare), now is a fitting time to provide the logistics of living here. I hope this information is a good start for you if you are coming to volunteer, work and more in Bogotá.
Airfare – As of August, 2009, the cheapest airline for those coming from the U.S. is hands down Spirit Airlines. Check the major airlines through Kayak or Expedia to be certain, but a one-way ticket from DC to Bogotá can be had for as little as $150.
Tourist Stamps/Visas - A tourist law unique to Colombia is that visitors are permitted up to six months per calendar year. That means that if you want to spend a year in Colombia volunteering, for example, come in July and stay till June of the following year. To save time and money, bring three copies of your passport photo with you, as it is required for a renewal stamp.
Eventually, I am going to apply for a work/volunteer visa, but the tourist visa will work just fine for now. In regards to the volunteer visa, I will post more later, but it can be a bit tricky.
To get your stamps/visa renewed, visit the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (Calle 100 #11B).
Healthcare – Travel insurance is recommended. While healthcare is cheaper here than in the U.S., I still had to pay $280 to get my finger stitched up. Luckily, I will be reimbursed by MNUI, a good choice for travel insurance based on my experience.
I went to a hospital called Clinica Del Country (Carrera 16 No. 82-57, Bogotá) and was impressed with the quality of the facility and the expedient service. To go through registration, stitches, payment, and the pharmacy, it took a little under three hours. Impressive.
Lodging – The majority, if not all, hostels are located in the center of the city, La Candelaria. While La Candelaria is a scenic place to visit during the daytime, it is unsafe at night. For this reason, I personally would not recommend staying in the city center. There are guesthouses in the north, where you can rent a room for $250 monthly. Looking for an apartment? Check the classifieds of El Tiempo.
Other Tips:
*The tap water is completely safe to drink in Bogotá and most other cities. Except for the coast; don’t drink the water in coastal cities like Cartagena!
*If you are sensible, Bogotá is a safe place to live. Stay in the better neighborhoods, usually in the north. Make sure to take taxis late at night, even if you are only a 10 minute walk away.
*While certain consumer goods are very cheap in Colombia like coffee, there are some items I recommend bringing from your home country, if you live in the U.S., Western Europe, or Australia:
- Electronics – iPod docking stereos are about 2-3 times as expensive as the U.S.
- Athletic Shoes – For quality sneakers, you have to pay roughly 50% more than the U.S.
- Books – While Amazon.com ships to Colombia, shipping fees are expensive.
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