Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Bogota (El Dorado) (BOG): 12 km from the city.
• Barranquilla (BAQ): 10 km from the city.
• Cali (CLO): 19 km from the city.
• Cartagena (CTG): 2 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Columbia with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

Colombia has an excellent internal air network, with flights connecting the major cities, and also connecting the islands of San Andrés and Providencia. There is also a ferry service that runs between the mainland and the islands, leaving from the Muelle de los Pegasos. Although cheap, the journey can take up to 72 hours.

There are virtually no inter-city railway services in Colombia, although a tourist steam-train runs from Bogotá to Zipaquirá and Cajicá.

The country has some excellent roads, including the highway that links Santa Marta in the east with Cartagena, passing Barranquilla en route. Northeast of Santa Marta, roads are usually passable except during rainy periods. Car hire is available; however, driving in cities in not recommended, and visitors are also advised against driving in rural areas as guerrilla and paramilitary groups have a strong presence. The rural speed limit is 80 kph (50 mph) and the urban speed limit is 45-60 kph (28-37 mph).

The most efficient way to travel around the nation's capital, Bogota, is by bus, although shared taxis are also fairly cheap. Visitors using private taxis (also inexpensive) should insist that meters are used. Taxi drivers are generally not tipped. Medellín, Colombia's second largest city, has a metro train service and a cable car.