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Travel Tips
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Traveling to Colombia
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on Colombia.
Good to know:
- While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas as well as large cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country.
- Colombians, especially those inland, are among the most formal and traditional people of Latin America. Along the coast, a more relaxed attitude prevails.
- It is strongly recommended that visitors hire a local contact to help with conducting business. This contact can conduct introductions and also airport pick ups.
- Many businesspeople in Columbia speak English; however, in most situations that have anything to do with the government, visitors will likely need to speak Spanish or have an interpreter.
- Politics, terrorism, or illegal drugs should be avoided as conversation topics.
- Colombians are a very proud people—they value their nation and its achievements. Travelers should be informed about Colombian culture, literature, and history, or, at least, show curiosity about such things.
- Colombians greet each other or foreigners with a handshake. It is also used when departing.
- Colombians take a long time with their greetings; they feel that they convey respect for the other person by doing so. North Americans shouldn’t rush through the greeting, as they may appear as callous or disrespectful.
- Yawning in public is considered impolite.
- Visitors should be prepared for the cooler temperatures and the adjustment to altitude when traveling to cities such as Bogotá, which is 8,600 feet (2,600 meters) above sea level.
- Colombia is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T.-5), which is the same as U.S Eastern Standard Time.
In business:
- Visitors should be on time for all business appointments. However, Colombians are not known for punctuality and may arrive at a business meeting fifteen or twenty minutes late. An apology will not be forthcoming.
- For social occasions, even foreigners are expected to be late. An appropriate arrival time would be fifteen to thirty minutes late for a party; some locals will even be a full hour late.
- In Colombia, like in many European and other South American countries, the date should be written with the day first, then the month, then the year (e.g., December 3, 2010, is written 3.12.10 or 3/12/10).
- Appointments should be scheduled at least one week before arrival in Colombia and should be arranged via phone, e-mail or registered mail.
- As the main meal of the day, lunch is a popular choice for a business meal.
- Don’t be in a hurry, expect delays. To accomplish something that would generally take a few days in other countries, allocate a week in Colombia.
Sources: travel.state.gov, “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Best-selling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.
Trip-saving—maybe life-saving—travel tips from the experts
Being “situationally aware,” “vigilant,” and avoiding the “top ten mistakes business executive make while traveling,” are key messages being delivered by three security analysts and experts. Respectively:
Robert Sicillano, personal security expert and author of “The Safety Minute,” advises, “ Situational awareness is the foundation of personal security…a victim isn’t responsible for the crime that happened to them, but they are in the best position to prevent it.”
CNN security analyst Mike Brooks talks about the need to be “vigilant.” He advises that while travelers need not be paranoid, they should be cognizant of what is going on around them—who is around and where to go if trouble happens.
Michael McCann, president of McCann Protective Services in New York, and former chief of security at the United Nations, addresses safety for business-traveling executives, identifying common mistakes they make.
Following is a compilation of some of their tips that could benefit any traveler to any destination.
Trip Preparation Tips
- For international travel, go online to travel.state.gov to review current situations at the destination.
- Clean out wallet/purse. Take only credit card/s needed, minimal cash, and travelers’ checks when possible. Leave Social Security card, membership cards, and all other unnecessary information at home. Carry no photos other than those of fellow travelers in case someone gets lost.
- Make copies of passport and keep a copy in luggage. Keep copies of “official” identification, including driver’s license and credit cards, at home where someone can retrieve them in case of loss or theft
- Take current emergency contact lists of home numbers and destination numbers including the local consulate and police.
- Leave itinerary with a trusted, accessible person.
- Pack light—take only necessities. Heavy and excessive luggage says “tourist.”
- Pack laptop in a bag that does not appear to be a “computer bag.”
- If eyewear is needed be sure to pack at least one extra pair. Getting a prescription replaced could be slow and costly.
- Take extra prescription medications in original containers for both identification and need for refill.
- Check medical insurance coverage at destination in case of emergency.
Dress Tips
- Do some research to dress like the locals and be prepared for the predicted weather—blending in is safer.
- Leave “home-country clothing” at home. National colors and flags, sports teams etc. announce you are from elsewhere.
- Leave expensive jewelry (including an expensive watch) at home.
- Carry wallet in front pocket or use a money belt to thwart pickpocket attempts.
Transportation Tips
- Avoid public transportation if traveling with more bags than you can reasonably keep track of. Opt for a cab instead.
- Be sure your ground transportation provider is part of a legitimate and respected company.
- Never stop to help another driver on the side of the road—this is a common tactic used to lure unsuspecting drivers. Keep going.
- Do everything possible to stay out of a vehicle if abduction is attempted.
- When riding on a bus, stand near the driver or an exit. If sitting, sit with back to the side of the bus to ensure a view of the people in the front and back of the bus.
Hotel Tips
- Always request a room on floors 2 through 6. The first floor is more accessible to criminals and the higher floors may be more difficult to evacuate or be rescued from in case of fire.
- Upon arrival, take note of how far your room is from a stairway.
- Only select hotels in safe areas.
Behavior Tips
- Stay focused. Stay off of all technological devices while commuting or settling into new surroundings.
- Don’t veer off on side streets or take “cutoffs”—criminals are more likely to strike in uncrowded areas. Stick to well-traveled streets.
- Make eye contact through a look of stern observation but not staring. Criminals count on the element of surprise.
The experts suggest focusing primarily on three things—body language, awareness, and intuition. They say that if the traveler appears to know what they are doing and where they are going they are a lot less likely to be targeted— even if they look l like a tourist.
Sources: cnn.com, abcnews.go.com
