COLOMBIA
GENERAL INFORMATION
San Andrés y Providencia - Revela Colombia
Capital city:
Bogotá
Climate:
Tropical with temperatures that vary according to the region; there are no seasons.
Daylight hours:
Dawn at 6:00 a.m. and sundown at 6:00 p.m.
Official language:
Spanish.
Currency:
Colombian Peso (COP)
Minimum wage:
877.803 COP for 2020
USD$225 (approximately).
Energy:
110-120 Volts / 60 Hertz
Bogotá
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and is the base of the largest number of audiovisual professionals and technicians in the country. The city has an adequate infrastructure for all types of productions.
If you require more detailed information on how to shoot in the city of Bogotá, please contact:
Carrera 8 No. 15 – 46
Teléfono: (+57 1) 379 57 50
Ext: 3410, 3409, 3406
www.filmingbogota.gov.co
Asesor Comisión Fílmica:
cfb@idartes.gov.co
Permiso Unificado:
pufa.cfb@idartes.gov.co
Información para filmar en Bogotá
info.cfb@idartes.gov.co
794 Decree from 2018:
Bogota Film Comission
Medellín
Medellín is the capital of the department of Antioquia. The audiovisual industry in Medellín is in constant growth and has hosted the production of feature films important to the history of Colombian cinema. It currently has a Film Commission that provides incentives for productions and advice for audiovisual production in the city.
Correo contacto: info@filmedellin.com
Twitter:
@filmedellin
Instagram:
@filmedellin
Facebook:
Comisión Fílmica Medellín
Cartagena
Cartagena de Indias is considered the Tourist and Cultural District of Colombia. Its historical center is a National Heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cali
Cali is the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca. Cali has been a center of first class film production in Colombia since the seventies.
The city has an excellent film school at the Universidad del Valle.
Barranquilla
Barranquilla, the capital of Colombia’s Atlántico Department, is a bustling seaport flanked by the Magdalena River.
The city is known for its enormous Carnival, which brings together flamboyantly costumed performers, elaborate floats and cumbia music
Holidays in Colombia
*Holidays for 2021
- January 01
New Year - January 06
Three Kings Day - March 22
Saint Joseph - April 01
Maundy Thursday - April 02
Good Friday - May 01
Labor Day - May 17
Ascensioin Day - June 07
Corpus Christi - June 14
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - July 05
Saint Peter and Saint Paul - July 20
Independence Day - August 07
Battle of Boyacá - August 16
Assumption of Mary - October 18
Day of the Race - November 01
All Saints Day - November 15
Independence of Cartagena - December 08
Immaculate Conception - December 25
Christmas
Taxes, hiring policies and insurance
Find all the information about taxes, hiring, and insurance here.
Entering Currency
You can carry up to a total of USD$10,000, or its equivalent in other currencies when entering or leaving Colombia, without being required to declare it to the authorities.
To bring more than USD$10,000 into the country, the operation must be carried out through an exchange market intermediary.
If foreign currency securities exceeding USD$10,000 (for instance, traveler’s checks or bonds) are brought into the country, they must be declared before the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN).
Non-residents of Colombia may open current or savings accounts in the country.
Entering this type of foreign currency is not considered foreign investment.
Banks in Colombia
Colombia has an extensive banking network of both national and international institutions (Banco de Bogotá, Banco Popular, Bancolombia, Banco de Occidente, Banco Caja Social, Banco Davivienda, Banco Agrario de Colombia, AV Villas, Itaú, Royal Bank Of Scotland, GNB Sudameris, BBVA).
In all Colombian cities and most municipalities, these networks have offices and ATMs.
Credit Cards
The main international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and American Express) are accepted in Colombia. However, it is common for establishments in remote regions to not have the capability to bill credit cards, in which case you must pay in cash.
Exchange Houses
In the main cities there are exchange houses where international currencies are bought and sold. These houses fix their prices of purchase and sale of foreign currencies according to the market trends, and the exact rate may be higher or lower than the official exchange.
Embassies
For information on embassies in Colombia, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/embajadas-consulados-colombia-exterior
Air transport
The country is connected by air with the main cities of America and Europe. Direct flights with daily frequencies depart from Bogotá and from some intermediate cities such as Medellín, Cali, Pereira, Cartagena, and Barranquilla to New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Madrid, Paris, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Panama, and others. Airlines such as American Airlines, Iberia, Air France, and Lufthansa make these connections possible.
Colombia’s main international airports are:
Bogotá: Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado, inside the city.
Barranquilla: Ernesto Cortissoz a 7 km. from the city.
Cali: Palmaseca a 18 km. from the city.
Cartagena: Rafael Núñez, inside the city.
Medellín: Rionegro a 45 km. from the city.
Pereira: Matecaña, inside the city.
All regions of Colombia are connected by air through local companies such as Avianca, Copa Airlines, Latam, Satena, EasyFly, and VivaAir. There are 73 airports in the country and no flight takes more than two hours from the capital. There are several specialized private companies that offer helicopters and light aircraft throughout the country.
Taxes, contracting and insurance
Find all the information about taxes, hiring, and insurance here.
Energy
Electricity is distributed to most of the regions of the country, reaching the most remote places.
The power is offered at 110-120v/60hz, the same as in the United States.
Preservation of the environment in Colombia
The Organization for the Promotion of Natural Parks in Colombia – COLPARQUES seeks to promote an environmental culture with a change of vision towards natural resources.
Safety
The only national emergency hotline is 123.
Hotels and accommodations
In Colombia there are several international hotel chains, such as the Four Seasons, Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, NH, and Atton, as well as top national chains including Dann, GHL Hotels, Royal Hotels, and Estelar Hotels, to name a few. The hotel offer ranges from three to five stars. The price point for a room can range from $40 to $300 dollars. Rates vary by season and city.
Main studios in Colombia
CARACOL
9 studies from 2152 square meters to 8611 square meters
FOX TELECOLOMBIA
6 studios with a total area of 27,738 square meters
HANGAR FILMS
1 studio with 450 square meters, 18 by 23 meters
MEDIAPRO
43 studios with a total area of 13,185 square meters
RCN
8 studios with an approximate ceiling height of 4 meters
