From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Colombia
Date: 11 Jan 1993 14:56:44 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Colombia
============================================================
Colombia - Consular Information Sheet
 January 5, 1993

Embassy and Consulate locations: The U.S. Embassy in Colombia is 
located in Bogota at Calle 38 No. 8-61, at tel: (57-1) 320-1300.  
The Consulate is in Barranquilla at Calle 77, Carrera 68, Centro 
Comercial Mayorista, at tel: (57-58) 457-088.

Country description: Colombia is a medium income country with a 
diverse economy.  Tourist facilities vary, depending on cost and 
area.

Entry requirements: U.S. citizens need a passport and proof of an 
onward/return ticket for stays of up to 90 days.  Minors (under 18) 
traveling alone, with one parent or in someone else's custody, must 
present written authorization signed before a notary and 
authenticated by the Colombian Embassy or Consulate from the absent 
parent, parents, or legal guardian.  For current information 
concerning entry and customs requirements for Colombia, travelers 
can contact the Colombian Embassy at 2118 Leroy Place N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: (202) 387-8338 or the nearest Consulate 
General in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, 
Houston or San Juan.

Medical facilities: Medical care is adequate in major cities but 
varies in quality elsewhere.  Health problems in Colombia include 
the presence of cholera, though cholera is found largely in areas 
outside the cities and usual tourist areas.  Visitors who follow 
proper precautions regarding food and drink are not generally at 
risk.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for 
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside 
the United States.  In some cases, supplemental medical insurance 
with specific overseas coverage is considered useful.  For 
additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for 
Disease Control's international travelers hotline (404) 332-4559.

Crime information: Minor crime is prevalent in cities,  especially 
in the vicinity of hotels and airports.  Theft of hand luggage and 
travel documents at airports is not uncommon.  Taking illegal taxis, 
which are sometimes characterized by two drivers and irregular 
markings, is considered risky.  Attempts at extortion and 
kidnappings on rural buses are not unusual.  Useful information on 
guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling 
abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip 
Abroad."  It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Areas of instability:  Violence in Colombia from narcotic 
traffickers and guerrilla organizations has recently escalated and 
is widespread and pervasive.  As a result, U.S. Government employees 
are severely restricted in their official and personal travel to 
Colombia.  The security situation in Colombia is volatile.  U.S. 
citizens may consult the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in 
Bogota or the U.S. Consulate in Barranquilla before initiating 
travel to Colombia to obtain the latest information about the area 
in Colombia to which they wish to travel.  The entire country is 
currently experiencing daily and nightly power outages.  Serious 
crimes (such as homicide, rape, assault and kidnapping) have greatly 
increased during these blackouts.  The following areas are  
considered particularly dangerous:

-Colombia east of the Andes except the cities of Villavicencio in 
Meta Department and Leticia in the Amazonas Department and adjacent 
tourist areas in Amazonas.

-All of Antioquia Department (zone) including the city of Medellin.

-Most of the North Coast, except for the major tourist areas such 
as Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cartagena, and San Andres.

-The northern half of Choco Department, particularly the Uraba 
region, except for the tourist area of Capurgana.

-The Magdelena Medio region: The Magdelena River valley south to 
Tolima, including western Boyaca, eastern Caldas, and northwestern 
Cundinamarca.

- Rural Valle de Cauca Department and most of the Cauca River 
valley including the cities of Cali and Buenaventura, and the road 
between Cali and Buenaventura.

-Tolima Department south of Espinal, especially if traveling after 
dark.

-Road travel in Huila and Cauca Departments.  The cities of Neiva 
and Popayan are considered to be safe if reached by air.

Restrictions on U.S. Government employees: U.S. government 
employees face severe restrictions on travel to and within Colombia 
because of security concerns.  The areas of instability listed in 
the preceding section are off-limits to U.S. government personnel.  
Requests by U.S. Embassy personnel for travel by car outside the 
Bogota metropolitan area are only considered on a case by case 
basis.  In addition, the travel to Colombia of U.S. government 
personnel not assigned to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, for 
official and personal business, must be approved in advance by the 
Embassy.  Such travel is only approved for essential business and/or 
under extraordinary circumstances.

Terrorist activities: Several terrorist or guerrilla groups are 
active in Colombia; U.S. interests are among their targets.  
Kidnapping for ransom or political purposes, including U.S. 
citizens, is increasingly common in Colombia.  In December 1992, 
bombs exploded in several of Bogota's major hotels and other public 
places.  Although U.S. citizens are not targets, they do frequent 
some of the places that have been bombed.

Other information: The Galeras Volcano, located near the city of 
Pasto, Narino Department, is active.  Colombian government agencies 
are monitoring the volcano's activity.

Drug penalties:  Penalties for possession, use and dealing in 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy 
jail sentences and fines.

Tips for travelers: A pamphlet on "Tips for Travelers to Central 
and South America" is also available from the Superintendent of 
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Registration: Americans who register with the Consular Section of 
the U.S. Embassy or at the U.S. Consulate in Barranquilla can obtain 
updated information on travel and security within the country.

 No. 93-001

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated November 26, 
1992 to include information regarding restrictions on travel of U.S. 
government employees to and in Colombia.


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