Travel guide

Visiting Bogotá and Latin America for the first time can be a life changing experience. Bogotá is a big metropolis, where things are chaotic and move fast.

Bogotá welcomes everyone, from all corners of the country or other parts of the world. We want to make your visit sail smoothly. Please keep this travel guide easily accesible before and during your stay. We may update parts of it as the conference approaches so check it periodically.

Before you fly

This section includes information to keep in mind before travelling to Bogotá. Be sure to check it thoroughly before buying your plane tickets.

Visa and Entry to Colombia

The majority of citizens from Europe, Oceania, and America (including the U.S., Canada, and almost all of South America) do not require a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days, extendable for another 90; however, countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, India, China, Vietnam, and most countries in Africa and the Middle East must apply for a Visitor Visa (Type V), unless they meet specific exceptions such as holding a valid U.S. or Schengen Area visa. We recommend checking the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to know all the entry requirements for Colombia.

Besides visa requirements, Colombian law establishes that foreign visitors who engage in academic activities must enter the country with a special permit called Temporary Stay Permit (PTP). To meet this requirement, once you acquire your entry to Pabellón, we will send you an official invitation letter by mail. Be sure to have this letter printed along with a copy of your passport to present to the immigration officer at the customs entry point, and request that they register your passport with the PID stamp (Integration and Development Permit). With this letter, immigration officers will issue your PTP. Keep it throughout your stay.

Keep in mind that, additionally, it is mandatory to complete the virtual Check-Mig registration through the official Migración Colombia website before your trip. This form must be completed between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight departure, and the confirmation receipt will be requested by the airline during the boarding process and by migration authorities upon arrival in the country.

What to pack

Bogotá is located 2,640 meters (8661 feet) above sea level. It is known for its harsh rainfall, strong winds, cold nights and (sometimes) sunny afternoons. The temperature oscillates between 20ºC (mostly during the day) and 7ºC (usually at night). Please pack accordingly.

The Colombian electrical system runs at 110V with a Type B three prong outlet or a Type A two prong outlet (more information here). Make sure to bring your adapters.

Currency and payment methods

The official currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Practically all establishments in Bogotá accept credit and debit cards. However, it is advisable to have cash for local markets and some public transportation options. For currency exchange, you can do it safely at authorized exchange houses inside El Dorado International Airport upon arrival, or in the shopping centers of the city.

Where to stay

Bogotá is a large city with a lot of tourism and accommodation options, from independent Airbnbs to major hotel chains. We will soon announce agreements with special prices at hotels for attendees of Pabellón.

Local Transport

Bogotá has a rather large public transportation system, as well as alternative transportation methods. Please consider all your options in this section.

From the airport to the hotel

Once you collect your luggage, look for the authorized taxi line (taxis in Bogotá are yellow) right in front of the exit door. Although there are other means of transportation, we consider this the safest option. The fare should be between 15 and 20 dollars to your hotel, depending on the distance (payment is cash only in Colombian pesos; you can find currency exchange offices and ATMs inside the airport). If you need a receipt, let the taxi line attendant know, as not all taxi drivers have paper to provide one.

How to get to the conference

The conference registration will be located in the ML Building at Universidad de los Andes (Calle 19A No. 1-82 Este). At the entrance, you will find event signage to complete your registration.

Once you have your conference materials, make sure to wear your badge at all times, as you will need it to enter and exit the campus (Los Andes has a closed campus) as well as to receive your lunch and refreshments.

Most of the conference activities will take place within the Universidad campus. You can use the campus map to guide yourself as you walk from one building to another.

Campus Map

Transportation options

Bogotá has several transportation options. Click on any of the sections below to find out how each one works.

Transmilenio and SITP

Transmilenio is the largest BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in the world and serves many areas of the city. The service is frequent and costs 3,550 COP. In general, the lines operate from 4:30 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday and from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The SITP is an urban bus system that mainly consists of: urban service (blue buses, covering routes not served by Transmilenio), and complementary service (orange buses; serving routes to and from nearby Transmilenio stations). All buses have a sign at the front indicating their destination.

Both types of transport are paid exclusively through the smart card tullave, which costs 8,000 COP. It must be preloaded with credit before traveling (up to 100,000 COP). The card is sold at all Transmilenio stations and can be recharged there as well as in some pharmacies and stationery stores.

If you are interested in using this transport option, you can download the Moovit or TransmiApp application on your smartphone to plan your trips.

Keep in mind that during peak hours (from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), both Transmilenio and SITP can be very crowded. Try to plan your trips outside peak hours.
Taxi & Private Vehicles

If you are going to use a taxi, we recommend doing so through the application and avoiding taking one directly on the street. For both taxis and private vehicle services requested through an app, the following companies operate: Uber and Cabify.
Bicycles

Bogotá has one of the most extensive bike lane networks in the world, with more than 375 km of separated and clearly marked bike lanes. Free maps of Bogotá from the Tourist Information Points (PIT) show the bike lane routes. Additionally, on Sundays and public holidays, from 7:00am to 2:00pm, 121 km of urban roads are closed to vehicle traffic for the Ciclovía.

If you want to rent bicycles, Tembici, the largest Latin American bike-sharing system, has more than 300 stations throughout Bogotá. Through its smartphone app, you can rent bicycles at any station and return them at any other, paying per trip or purchasing a daily, monthly, or annual plan. They offer both traditional mechanical bicycles and electrically assisted pedal bicycles. However, they do not provide helmets, so make sure to bring your own. At Universidad de los Andes, we have bike parking available free of charge.
Intercity buses

If you want to travel to any of the municipalities around Bogotá, it is best to go to the Terminal de Transporte. There, you can take buses that will take you to practically any point in the country, including destinations close to the Sabana de Bogotá. Most of these buses have several round-trip services throughout the day. The payment method for this service is cash.

General considerations

For most transportation in Bogotá, make sure to carry cash in Colombian pesos, especially low denomination bills and coins. It will be difficult to get change for a 50,000 peso bill, and sometimes even for a 20,000 peso bill, depending on the bus or taxi you take.

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