Planning a Trip to Colombia During the Omicron Variant
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My Concerns with Visiting Colombia During the Omicron Variant
In August, I booked a trip to Colombia during my winter break. Knowing that COVID-19 was still likely going to be an issue, I went about booking my trip in a way where all of the flights, hotels, and tours were refundable.
Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, I have traveled to a few international destinations and also canceled multiple trips. I try to look at each situation individually and make the best decision for myself, my close contacts, and the citizens of the country I am visiting.
In early December, a new variant of COVID-19, the Omicron Variant, started to spread around the world. As of December 2, 2021, not a lot of information is known about the Omicron Variant. Despite the lack of information, many countries quickly decided to implement additional safety measures for international travelers. While Colombia has not currently implemented any new measures, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to. One of my biggest concerns about visiting Colombia during the Omicron Variant is being unable to return to the United States at the end of my trip. Being a teacher, and missing substantial days of class, would be disastrous for my students as they could be without me for an extended period of time.
In addition to worrying about my personal well-being, I also do not want to put the citizens of Colombia at risk. Not knowing much about this variant, I feel it is best to err on the side of caution and not risk spreading the Omicron Variant to the people of Colombia. If I were to get sick during my trip, I would be taking medical resources away from the citizens of the country I am visiting.
My trip does not depart until December 24th, and I can cancel it up until around December 22nd. As of now, I am going to wait a few days to see what additional information is released. Below, I would like to share the trip that I had planned and the methods I used in planning to make sure that I will be able to get refunded if I need to cancel my trip.
Planning a Trip to Colombia During the Omicron Variant - Table of Contents
- My Concerns with Visiting Colombia During the Omicron Variant
- Logistical Information About My Trip to Colombia
- Day 1 – Getting to Colombia
- Day 2 – Bogotá to Cartegena
- Day 3 – A Tour of the Rosario Islands
- Day 4 – Touring the Pink Sea and Mud Volcano
- Day 5 – Back to Bogotá
- Day 6 – Social Project Tour and a Walking Tour of La Candelaria
- Day 7 – Guatavita Lake and Salt Cathedral Tour
- Day 8 – Returning Home to Minneapolis
- My Decision – Do I Travel to Colombia During the Omicron Variant
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Logisitical Information About My Trip to Colombia
There is a lot of varying information about requirements regarding COVID-19 in Colombia. As of December 2nd, there is no required COVID-19 test to enter Colombia and, there are no vaccination requirements. Despite not needing a vaccine to enter the country, most information that I have read states that proof of vaccination is required to go on tours, into restaurants and other places where groups of people gather.
To return to the United States, as of December 2nd, a negative COVID-19 test is now required within 24-hours of the time of the traveler’s departure time. This policy was updated on December 2nd, due to the Omicron Variant, which moved the timeframe from 72-hours to 24-hours for all travelers.
From my research, there is COVID-19 testing available at Bogotá Airport for around $35 for an antigen test. Turnaround time is typically within 2 to 4 hours. This turnaround time is important as the US recently switched their requirements due to the Omicron Variant. Travelers must now present a negative test within 24-hours of their departure.
With COVID-19 cases still being reported, it is important to have medical insurance while traveling outside of the US. I purchased an insurance plan that had up to $1 million of medical care that specifically included COVID-19. The cost of this plan was around $60 for my eight-day trip.
Day 1 - Getting to Colombia
Many airlines have implemented new policies that have almost entirely done away with change fees. Although there are no fees associated with changing flights, that doesn’t mean that travelers will get a refund. When a ticket is canceled, the refund is given as a credit for future travel. If I book a ticket that I know might end up being canceled, I am sure to book it on an airline that I will be flying in the future. This allows me to use my credit for a future trip.
When booking my flight to Colombia, I chose to fly American Airlines instead of Avianca. Although I would have loved to try Colombia’s flagship carrier (Avianca), I was not sure if I would ever be able to use the credit if I needed to cancel my trip.
Another trick I used was booking two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip ticket. For my departure, I booked a flight directly on American Airline’s website from Minneapolis to Bogotá. The flight had a stopover in Dallas and was reasonably priced at $308. For my flight home, I used my Alaska Airlines miles and booked a codeshared flight on American with a stop once again in Dallas. Alaska Airlines will fully refund my miles if I cancel before my flight departs. Using miles is a great way to avoid having to get a credit, as most airlines typically will return all the miles to the traveler’s account upon cancelation.
My flight arrives in Bogotá around midnight, so I booked the Hampton Inn – Bogotá Airport. This hotel has a cancelation period of 24 hours before the arrival day.
Day 2 - Bogotá to Cartagena
The next morning, I plan to fly from Bogotá to Cartagena. I chose to book separate tickets as it was much more expensive to fly directly to Cartagena. My only issue with these flights is that I have to fly a Colombian carrier. I chose to book with Viva Air Colombia as they allowed me to insure my trip for a very low fee of around $8.
In addition to being able to insure my flight, I also only spent around $80 on the round trip ticket from Bogotá to Cartagena. If I end up canceling and the insurance option doesn’t work out, I will be credited $80 to my Viva Air Colombia account. So if in the future I am unable to use the credit for, I will only be out around $80.
When I arrive in Cartagena, I have a room at Hotel Casa Gloria. On hotels.com, I was able to secure a rate of around $60 a day, with a cancelation window of 72 hours before arrival. If I decide to cancel my trip, I would owe no money to the hotel as long as I cancel within the window.
My flight is set to arrive around noon in Cartagena. This early arrival will allow me to spend the afternoon walking around the historic Colombian town. My hotel is located within the city walls and will provide an excellent location for exploring the city
Day 3 - A Tour of the Rosario Islands
During my first full day in Cartagena, I booked a tour through Viator of the Rosario Island. Viator has a very generous cancelation policy and allows the cancelation of this tour up until 24-hours before the start time.
I am looking very forward to this tour as it will take me to all five of the Rosario Islands, include snorkeling, and an evening viewing the luminescent plankton. Still, having the option to cancel and receive a full refund helps put my mind at ease.
I also chose this activity as it is entirely outside and when I am not on the boat I should be able to keep my distance from people.
 Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Cholon and Playa Blanca - $115.00 Enjoy the most complete day tour in Cartagena going to different islands and beaches in Barú and Rosario Islands. Corales del Rosario National Park is the name of a group of islands in the cost of Colombia, located just an hour by speed boat from Cartagena, 20 mins from Barú. Blue water, white sand and awesome coral is the perfect mix for a sunny beach day, this paradise is the favorite destination in Cartagena and offer a natural environment to have fun and relaxing. |
Day 4 - Touring the Pink Sea and Mud Volcano
The next day I will take a tour that was also booked on Viator. This tour will take me to two destinations, the Pink Sea and Mud Volcano. Both the Pink Sea and Mud Volcano have been places on my Colombia “Bucket List” for a long period of time. Once again, these tours take place almost entirely outside, and I will be able to keep my distance from other tourists. These tours also include cancelation up until 24-hours before the tours departure.
 Mud Volcano and Pink Sea - $75.00 Everything in Cartagena is not just the Historical Center and the beaches, 45 minutes away from downtown you find this amaizing places like nowhere else, a mug volcano where you can jump in the mug, and a real pink sea that you gonna think that you're hallucinating. |
Day 5 - Back to Bogotá
Day five is a travel day, and another flight on Viva Air, this time back to Bogotá. As stated earlier, this flight is insured in case I need to cancel.
Upon arriving at Bogotá, I plan on staying at the Hotel Bh Bicentenario.
This hotel has a rate of around $40 a day and has to be prepaid. Thankfully, there is a 24-hour prior to arrival cancelation window, which would allow me to get a full refund back to my credit card.
I plan on using this day as a rest day, as the following two days will be full days of touring.
Day 6 - Social Project Tour and a Walking Tour of La Candelaria
Day 6 will be my first full day in Bogotá. To get to see as much as possible, I scheduled two tours. The first tour meets at 7:00 am at the Gold Museum and will take me up on a cable car to see a panoramic view of Bogotá. Following the spectacular view from the cable car, the tour will then highlight some of the poorer areas of Bogotá. According to the reviews, this tour is life-changing as it shows the difference between Colombia’s “Haves” and “Have Nots.” I booked this tour on Viator, and it has a 24-hour cancelation period where I can receive a full refund.
The second half of day 6 consists of a walking tour of the La Candelaria area of Bogotá. I love learning about old towns, and the La Candelaria area is one of the most historic in the city of Bogotá. This tour was booked on Viator and once again has a 24-hour cancelation period.
 Social Project & Cablecar in Bogotá - $49.07 TransmiCable is a new transportation in Bogotá, was recognized by International Financial Corporation among 1273 projects in Latin America, it is an integral mobility solution, built on the basis of citizen dialogue, and which achieved the social transformation of Ciudad Bolívar with a focus on welfare and sustainable development. |
 Walking Tour in La Candelaria Bogotá - $12.00 Join us in this amazing free walking tour through Bogotá's downtown district and learn all about the city's history and culture, making friends along the way. |
Day 7 - Guatavita Lake and Salt Cathedral Tour
My final day in Colombia features an early morning tour to Guatavita Lake and then the famous Salt Cathedral. This tour is booked with Viator, which allows cancelation up to 24-hours before.
My flight home from Colombia is not until 1:30 am the following day. With a cost of $40 a day, I kept my room at Hotel Bh Bicentenario for an extra day. Having this room allows me a chance to take a nap before heading to the airport. Also, if I do test positive for the Omicron variant, I would have a room ready to go in case I have to quarantine.
If everything goes according to plan, I will check out of my hotel around 10:00 pm and head to the airport.
 Full-Day Guatavita and Salt Cathedral - Daily and group tour - $78.00 This is undoubtedly one of the best combinations of tourist attractions near Bogotá; the day begins with a visit to the Guatavita Lake, famous for being the place where the Muiscas performed the ritual that gave rise to the legend of El Dorado; this place possesses an overwhelming beauty that can only be understood when visiting it. Then, cross the savannah to reach the municipality of Zipaquirá; you will know the First Wonder of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral, one of those places that you will not want to miss when coming to Colombia. |
Day 8 - Returning home to Minneapolis
With the new US Government entry rules, I will need to take a COVID-19 test within 24-hours of my departing flight. I plan to take an antigen test in my hotel room via a telecommunication doctor’s visit. Once my test comes back negative, I will receive a certificate that will allow me to reenter the US.
I booked my return flight as a separate one-way ticket on American Airlines. If I cancel, I will receive the full cost of my return flight ($329) in the form of a voucher. I fly American multiple times a year and will have no problem using the voucher.
My Decision - Do I Travel to Colombia During the Omicron Variant?
As of December 2nd, I have not made a decision on whether to cancel my trip to Colombia due to the Omicron Variant. I have until December 22nd to cancel and want to make the best decision for me, my close contacts, and the citizens of Colombia.
During the next few weeks, I hope we will learn more about the Omicron Variant and the effects it will have on the infected. I plan to make my decision sometime in the next five to ten days.
Update: I canceled my trip on 12/20. I decided that it wasn’t worth the risks. Hopefully, in the future I will be able to visit the beautiful country of Colombia.
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