The Land of Popayán, San Agustín, La Ciudad Perdida

 & Mompós

Information on Relocating to Columbia

• The capital city of Columbia is Santa Fe de Bogotá with about 7.1 million people. The political centre is also in Santa Fe de Bogotá. Colombia is a Republic.

• Languages: Spanish is the official language. Local Indian dialects and some English, French, German and Italian are also spoken. The TV programs are in Spanish.  Cable and Satellite TV are available.

• Population: The population is about 45.6 million people - 58% Mestizo (of European-Indian descent), 20% European descent, 14% mulatto (African-European descent), 4% African descent, 3% African-Indian descent, 1% indigenous.

• Expat areas: Most popular areas are Bogotá, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucuramanga and Cartagena.

• Housing: The availability of apartments and houses in the country and particularly in these popular areas varies. Rent and purchasing prices depend, we all know, on the size of the house or apartment and the areas. The prices below are based on areas 5 and 6 in Bogotá, which are the best ones and where the expats usually live in. The price varies also based whether it is furnished or not.

• Cost of housing: Apartments are between € 900 / € 2000.- Houses are between € 1400 / € 2700 and above. Exchange rate is 1 USD = 2000 Colombian pesos.  The local currency is Colombian Peso (Col$).

• Schools: We have the American, and the  British school, the International and the Scandinavian school, the Belgium and French school all available. Depending on the age we can tell you about a possible waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: Bogotá's bus service, TransMilenio, is the most efficient way to travel round the capital. There are also shared taxis (buseta) which are not expensive and stop on demand. Taxis are fairly cheap; passengers should insist that meters are used. Drivers are generally not tipped. Medellín, Colombia's second largest city, has a metro train service. The newest addition to the system is MetroCable, a cable car. Car hire: The major international companies have offices, but driving in cities is not recommended.

• Bank: The banks are open Mondays - Fridays 9.00 am - 3.00 pm.

• Shopping: In the colder cities such as Bogotá, typically Monday - Saturday 11.00 am - 9.00pm. In hotter cities, Monday - Saturday 9.00 – 11.00 am and 3.00 – 9. 00 pm.

• Climate: The climate is very warm and tropical on the coast and in the north, with a rainy season from May to November. This varies according to altitude. It is cooler in the upland areas and cold in the mountains. Bogotá is always spring-like, with cool days and crisp nights.

• Culture: Bogotá’s Colon Theatre presents ballet, opera, drama and music, with international and local groups. There are many nightclubs and discos in the major towns of Colombia.

• Public holidays: 1st January New Year’s Day. 6th January Epiphany; 19th March St Joseph’s Day; March-April (dates varies) Maundy Thursday, Good Friday; 1st May Labour Day; May-June (dates varies) Ascension; Corpus Christi; 30th June Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart); 3rd July St Peter and St Paul; 20th July Independence Day; 7th August Battle of Boyacá; 15th August Assumption; 12th October Columbus Day; 1st November All Saints' Day; 11th November Independence of Cartagena City; 8th December Immaculate Conception; 25th December Christmas Day. Note: When public holidays do not fall on a Monday, or when they are on a Sunday, they are moved to the following Monday, thus creating a long weekend (known as a puente, or bridge).