Colombia (Lonely Planet, 5th Edition) - Jens Porup [264]
Flightbookers ( 0800 082 3000; www.ebookers.co.uk)
STA ( 08701-630 026; www.statravel.co.uk)
Travel Bag ( 0800 082 5000; www.travelbag.co.uk)
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USA
The major US gateway for Colombia is Miami, from where several carriers, including American Airlines, Avianca and Spirit Air, depart. A 90-day return ticket normally costs US$400 to US$500 depending on the season.
Another important gateway to Colombia is New York, from where American Airlines and Avianca have flights to Bogotá. A 30-day return ticket is around US$550 to US$650 depending on the season.
On the West Coast, the major departure point is Los Angeles, but flights to Bogotá can be expensive. Avianca is the only carrier to offer nonstop flights from LAX. The cheapest 60-day return fares will probably be somewhere between US$700 and US$800. The cheapest flights are with TACA, which makes stops in El Salvador and Costa Rica. TACA is not recommended during the hurricane season (September to November) because almost daily bad weather in San José frequently causes planes to be diverted to other airports, and you’ll miss your connection.
Venezuelan carrier Aeropostal (www.aeropostal.com) sometimes offers good fares for their Miami–Caracas–Bogotá route.
For discount travel agencies, check the Sunday travel sections in newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune and New York Times.
STA Travel and Council Travel are two of the most reputable discount travel agencies in the USA. Although they both specialize in student travel, they may offer discount tickets to nonstudents of all ages.
Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com)
Orbitz ( 888 656 4546; www.orbitz.com)
STA Travel ( 800 781 4040; www.sta-travel.com)
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BORDER CROSSINGS
Colombia borders Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, but has road connections with Venezuela and Ecuador only. These are the easiest and the most popular border crossings.
You can also cross the border to Peru and Brazil at the three corners near Leticia, and there is boat service to and from Panama and Ecuador.
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Brazil & Peru
The only viable border crossing from these two countries into Colombia is via Leticia in the far southeastern corner of the Colombian Amazon. Leticia is reached from Iquitos (Peru) and Manaus (Brazil) by riverboat. Click here for details. The area around Leticia is safe.
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Ecuador
Virtually all travelers use the Carretera Panamericana border crossing through Tulcán (Ecuador) and Ipiales (Colombia). Click here for information. Parts of the Panamericana (particularly the section between Pasto and Popayán) continue to be plagued by late-night bandits; you’re advised to travel this leg only during the daytime.
It is possible but difficult to cross the border along the Pacific coast near Tumaco (Click here).
The Putumayo border crossing is not safe at this time.
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Panama
Sailboats operate between Colón in Panama and Cartagena in Colombia; Click here. This is a popular form of intercontinental travel, and generally passes through (and stops in) the beautiful San Blas Islands along the way. You can also take small coastal boats from Sapzurro (Click here) across the border to Puerto Olbadia, Panama, from where you can fly to Panama City.
It is possible but more difficult to arrange transport from Bahía Solano (Click here) to Jaqué in Panama. From here you can continue along Panama’s Pacific coast to Panama City or fly.
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Venezuela
There are four border crossings between Colombia and Venezuela. By far the most popular with travelers (and probably the safest)