Frequently Asked Questions

Most travellers from the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia and most Latin American countries do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. You enter with just a valid passport (6+ months validity) and a return or onward ticket. We confirm visa requirements for your nationality when we plan the trip.

Colombia has changed dramatically in the past two decades. The regions we operate in — Bogotá and surroundings, Coffee Triangle, Sierra Nevada, Cartagena, the Pacific coast, Casanare Llanos, Amazon — are safe for tourism when you travel with a reputable local operator. We monitor regional conditions constantly and adjust itineraries if needed.

Colombia is close to the equator so there are no traditional seasons — only drier and wetter windows. The driest and most popular months are December–March and July–August. Whale watching runs July–October. Birding is excellent year-round. We match your itinerary to the best regional windows.

The Colombian peso (COP). Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities and most lodges. For smaller towns, rural areas, the Pacific coast and Llanos, bring cash in pesos. We advise you per trip.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to Amazon and Pacific coast areas (Bahía Solano, Nuquí, Utría) and some national parks. We recommend it for all our tours. Routine vaccines should be up to date. Consult your travel doctor 4–6 weeks before departure.

Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín. In most other destinations we recommend bottled or filtered water. All our partner lodges provide safe drinking water.

Spanish is the official language. English is spoken at major hotels and by many of our guides, but much less so in rural areas. All our tours include bilingual guides where needed.

Yes — we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation, trip cancellation and adventure activities. For remote areas (Llanos, Chocó, Amazon, high-altitude treks) it is essential.

All our tours are private by default — just you, your party and your guides. We can also put together small-group departures on request.

Every trip we design is custom. Prices depend on group size, lodging level, season, internal flights, and add-ons. We quote individually once we understand what you\u2019re looking for — usually within 24–48 hours of your enquiry.

For peak season (Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug) and specialised trips (whale watching, jaguar safaris, technical climbs), book 3–6 months ahead. Shoulder season and flexible trips can often be arranged with 4–6 weeks notice.

Yes — most of our trips do. Birding + whale watching, hiking + coffee culture, Llanos safari + Amazon. Tell us your interests and dates and we\u2019ll design the combination.

It depends entirely on the tour. Day hikes and birding trips require only basic fitness. The Lost City trek and Cocora Valley are moderate. Nevado del Tolima and the Lengerke Trail are challenging. Whale watching, Llanos safaris and most birding are accessible to almost anyone.

Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergies are all handled. Please tell us when booking so we can brief lodges and guides.

Yes on most tours — particularly whale watching, Llanos safaris, Cartagena culture and Coffee Triangle. Some technical treks (Tolima, Lengerke) are not suitable for young children. We advise per trip.

We build flexibility into every itinerary. For treks and summits, we adjust days where needed; for boat trips and flights in the Pacific and Amazon, we rebook or reroute. Your safety comes first — always.

Major international gateways are Bogotá (BOG), Medellín (MDE) and Cartagena (CTG). Direct flights from the US (Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston, LA), Europe (Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London), and the rest of Latin America. We can advise on internal connections.

We don\u2019t by default — most clients book their own international flights for flexibility. We handle all in-country flights, transfers and domestic logistics.

It depends on the region — we send a detailed packing list with every confirmed booking. Generally: layers for the Andes, light and quick-dry for the Pacific/Amazon, proper boots for hiking, binoculars for birding, and a waterproof.

Tips are appreciated but not obligatory. Guidelines: guides $10–20/day, drivers $5/day, lodge staff at your discretion. We\u2019ll include recommendations in your trip briefing.

Good in cities and most lodges. Patchy or non-existent in the Llanos, Pacific coast, Amazon and remote trekking routes. We see this as part of the experience — but we also make sure you can reach family when needed.

Satena and other regional airlines operate daily flights from Medellín. Occasional weather delays happen, particularly in the rainy season. We always build buffer days when the trip depends on these flights.

Sula is an operating brand under a licensed Colombian tour operator with full RNT (National Tourism Registry) certification. We work with a vetted network of regional partners — local guides, lodges, boat operators and reserves — and maintain high standards of safety, ethics and quality.

Every guide we work with is locally based, expert in their region, and vetted for both professional skill and respect for wildlife and local communities. Many have decades of experience and are themselves conservation practitioners.

We favour locally-owned lodges, small group sizes, no-handling wildlife protocols, and itineraries that leave revenue in the communities visited. Where possible we work with reserves that reinvest in conservation and research.

Use the contact form on our website or write to us directly. We usually reply within 24 hours — faster during European and American business hours.