When in Colombia

Money

The national currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP$). Always exchange your currency at designated exchange points either at the airport, or in banks or hotels. In the cities, you'll find that most hotels, restaurants and stores accept major debit and credit cards, while there are also ATMs in shopping centres and on major roads - these will usually provide options in English. So, if you need any extra cash at some point, it should be simple to obtain.

Eating out

Cuisine in Colombia is as varied as the landscape. Meat features heavily, however, so it's not the easiest destination for vegetarians and vegans to dine in terms of main meals - but the astonishing variety of fresh fruits and other meat-free snacks mean that this is still a place lots of food lovers can enjoy.

There is much regional diversity with Colombian cuisine, which is part of what makes it such an exciting culinary destination to explore. An excellent example of a regional highlight is Cartagena's black beef, known locally as posta negra. Made from tri-tip sirloin, this dish is cooked with the fat still on the meat, enhancing the overall flavour. It is fried until black, then red onion, tomato, garlic and pepper is added, and the whole lot served with coconut rice.

Nationwide favourites, meanwhile, include breakfasts of fresh fruit, eggs and bread, lunches of soup, a main dish and dessert (this is the main meal of the day), then a light, almost snack-like dinner. Among the must-try foodstuffs is arepa, which is the most common side dish to any Colombian meal. This bread is made from cornmeal and is often compared to a thick pancake - it's absolutely delicious! And of course, being a nation famous for its coffee, this is a staple drink, especially at breakfast time.

Those with a sweet tooth should try bunuelos. These are a popular type of fritter served throughout South America; in Colombia, they are made of a white cheese dough, and are incredibly moreish.

Climate

Colombia's climate can broadly be classified as tropical and very warm, though it's important to bear in mind that the country's incredibly varied landscape means the altitude is similarly varied - and this means the temperature depends a lot on where exactly you are. For example, in Andean peaks it will often be freezing, while at the same time the lowlands will be sweltering.

However, the temperature changes little throughout the year. As a rule of thumb, the best time to visit Colombia is either between December and March or July and August. This is when there is the least rain, making it a good balance of sunny climes and drier weather for things like trekking.