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Some international flights have resumed to Colombia. How are coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions affecting travelers?
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Protests in Colombia – November 2019
Protesters took to the streets of the Colombian capital, Bogotá, on 21 November 2019, frustrated by the slow rollout of the 2016 peace deal with the FARC rebels, and to protest against the current government.
The protests were mostly peaceful until clashes broke out near Bogotá airport between protesters and riot police.
A national strike was planned for 21 November following the announcement of proposed cuts to pensions earlier in the month, which caused widespread dissatisfaction with the Government, causing civil unrest across the country.
Local authorities have been given permission from the Government to impose curfews, restrictions on freedom of movement, and bans on the sale of alcohol, according to a statement from the President's office.
If you are traveling in Colombia at the moment, avoid all demonstrations, and avoid all crowded areas. Civil unrest is expected, and disruptions to transport and travel plans may arise. Monitor the situation closely and stay up to date with news and media.
We checked in with our local insider living in Bogota, Jacqui de Klerk, and she shared her tips for travelers:
- If you stay away from the zones where people are protesting, you will be fine. It's mostly bad in the center and south of Bogotá
- There is very little risk to travelers. The greatest risk is if you somehow joined a protest – or end up anywhere near Plaza Bolivar – when things get out of control
- Another risk is getting to and from the airport. If protesters block the roads, it's virtually impossible to get through. Since Saturday 23 November, the highway in and out of the airport has been working as normal. I would advise travelers to book their flights for the early morning or even very late at night
- Aside from the usual no-go zones, airports are functioning, roads are fine
- Travelers shouldn't worry or cancel their plans at this stage, but monitor the situation closely.
Bogota bomb blast – January 2019
A car bomb rocked the southern part of Colombia's capital, Bogota, killing 10 people and injuring more than 80. The blast occurred outside a police cadet academy and may have been carried out by an associate of the National Liberation Army (ELN), a known guerilla group in Colombia. The attacker was killed in the incident.
As a result of the bomb blast, security has been tightened by authorities in that part of Bogota and it's best to avoid the area. If you are traveling in Bogota, be aware of your surroundings and follow instructions from local police.
Please check with authorities for more information, follow any official warnings and listen to local news reports to monitor the situation. Failure to comply with directives from government authorities means you won't be covered by travel insurance.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
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