The official currency of Colombia is the Peso ($). The entrance and expenditure of money in this denomination, or in any other one, is limited and it should be declared to the arrival or exit of the country.

The foreign currency change should be carried out exclusively in hotels, banks and exchange houses; never in the street. The rate of change fluctuates day by day, being its official referent the American dollar.

The main exchange houses concentrate on the malls of the big cities, lending parchase, foreign currency, traveling checks, shipment and payment of international transfers.

The foreign currency used is the dollar, being possible to carry out operations with currencies of other denominations. The liquidation is made with bases in the official rate of the day, previous discounts for commission and services oscillate between 2 and 3 percent.

Cash

Try to always be in posesiono f cash, most preferably in pesos, for an amount which should cover in to reasonable way the necessities of the day; this sum can oscillate between $50.000 and $100.000. The different denominations for local currency coins in circulation: $50, $100, $200 and $500.

Bills: $1.000, $2.000, $5.000, $10.000, $20.000 Y $50.000.

Cash dispensers

The cash dispensers are an excellent option for access to the Colombian currency because they operate in all the cities, 24 hours of the day. Some offer the possibility to select the language in English and have a personal security guard. They generally allow transactions such a: consults of balance, withdrawals transfers and advances of cash.

Recommendations

Restrain from showing the card to unknown persons and always keep your personal pin to yourself.

The cash dispensers are located in strategic places, in particular on the main roads and in the malls. ATM’s accept most cards such as Master Card, VISA and CIRRUS which carry out international debit and credit transactions. In general all the department stores, superstores and supermarkets, hotels and restaurants accept this mode of payment.

Credit Cards

Most of the hotels, restaurants and trade establishments receive international credit cards. The most frequently used are Master Card and Visa. Only in exclusive places are cards like American Express and Diners Club accepted.

Traveler Checks

Before acquiring them in the origin country it is wise to consult on the existence of representations or branches in Bogotá. The traveling checks of more circulation are those of American Express and Citicorp. In the most exclusive hotels it is possible to carry out payments for these means; in is not common to use them for the use of trade.