Travel Guide: Essential Tips for Visiting Colombia for Medical Device Clinical Trials

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey to Colombia? We have curated vital tips and recommendations to guarantee a smooth and successful trip as you explore clinical research centers and conduct medical device studies in one of South America's most vibrant and hospitable countries. From gaining insight into local demographics and climate to efficient packing and navigating the country, this guide will empower you to make the most of your professional visit to Colombia.

Interesting facts about Colombia:

• The second most biodiverse country on Earth.

• The world's happiest country in 2021.

• One of the most urbanized countries in Latin America (about 82% of the population living in urban area).

Colombia boasts a diverse climate due to its geographical location and varied altitudes. Here's what to expect in the cities you'll be visiting:

Bogota

Bogota, the bustling capital of Colombia, is home to approximately 13 million people. Nestled in the Andean region at an altitude of 8,612 feet above sea level, the city enjoys a cool and temperate climate, with temperatures ranging between 44 and 66 °F. When dressing for your visit, it's recommended for women to wear a blouse with pants or a knee-length skirt, paired with a jacket and closed-toe shoes; comfortable shoes are also an option. For men, dress pants or jeans, a dress shirt, and a jacket are appropriate, with a tie being optional.

Medellin

Medellin, known as the "City of Eternal Spring," has a population of around 4 million people. Located in the northwest of Colombia at an altitude of 4,905 feet above sea level, Medellín enjoys a pleasant climate with temperatures ranging from 63 to 82 °F. For your visit, the suggested dress code for men includes dress pants or jeans and a polo or dress shirt, with an optional jacket. Women can opt for dresses or blouses paired with pants or skirts, along with closed-toe shoes or dressy sandals, and an optional jacket.

Cali

With a population of around 4 million people, Cali is positioned in the picturesque Cauca Valley at an altitude of 3,340 feet above sea level. Known for its warm climate, the city experiences temperatures ranging from 64 to 88 °F. When visiting this vibrant city, the suggested dress code for women includes dresses or tops with skirts or pants, paired with closed shoes or dressy sandals, excluding jackets. For men, dress pants or jeans and a dress or polo shirt are appropriate, without the need for a jacket.

Barranquilla

Found on the northern coast of Colombia, Barranquilla is home to 3 million residents. Positioned at sea level, the city enjoys a warm and humid tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 75 to 88 °F. Visitors to Barranquilla should consider a comfortable yet stylish dress code. Women can opt for sleeveless shirts or knee-length dresses paired with dressy sandals, excluding jackets. Men can wear dress pants or jeans along with a dress or polo shirt, also without the need for a jacket. This city’s vibrant culture and festive atmosphere make it a lively destination for travelers.

Bucaramanga

Set at an altitude of 3,150 feet above sea level, Bucaramanga, with its population of 2 million, boasts a mild and temperate tropical climate. The temperatures here range from 64 to 78 °F, offering a pleasant environment for visitors. For a visit to Bucaramanga, men should consider dress pants or jeans paired with a dress or polo shirt. Women can choose dresses or tops with skirts or pants, complemented by closed shoes or dressy sandals. This city’s serene landscapes and friendly locals provide a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Timezone

Colombia follows a single time zone five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-5). Due to its proximity to the Equator, Colombia does not observe any time changes or daylight savings throughout the year. It shares the same time zone with the cities in the eastern region of the United States that follow the EST time zone.

From March to November, when EST changes to EDT, Colombia falls an hour behind the eastern US cities in the EDT time zone.

Customs & Immigration

When traveling to Colombia as a US citizen for tourism or business purposes, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Before your trip, it's essential to complete the Colombia Check-Mig form, a mandatory requirement for all travelers arriving by air. This form gathers details about your itinerary within Colombia. To ensure a smooth entry, you should also have a valid passport and a round-trip airline ticket.

Flights and Timing

bioaccess® will manage all your domestic flight arrangements during your visit. To ensure you have ample time to settle in and prepare, we recommend arriving at least one day before your first site visit, particularly if the locations are outside of Bogotá. For travel involving connections, aim to book flights that are at least three hours apart to accommodate any potential delays. Additionally, our team is available to assist with booking international flights if you require further support.

Let bioaccess® handle all your travel arrangements so you can focus on your clinical trial objectives. Contact us today to book a meeting to learn how bioaccess® can support your clinical studies needs and ensure a smooth, productive site visit.

Direct Flight Airlines

How do I travel to Colombia?

Seven airlines provide non-stop, daily flights between the US and Colombia:

• Delta (from Atlanta and Miami).

• United Airlines (from Miami, Newark, Houston, and New York).

• Spirit (from Fort Lauderdale).

• Jet Blue (from New York).

• American Airlines (from Miami and Dallas).

• Avianca (from Miami, New York, Newark, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando).

• LATAM Airlines (from Miami and New York).
  

Transportation

bioaccess® will coordinate ground transportation for you from the moment you arrive until your departure, utilizing trusted drivers in each city to ensure your travel is seamless and secure. As part of your trip planning, we will provide a suggested agenda that includes detailed information about your flights, hotel accommodations, meeting times and locations, as well as the drivers assigned to you. This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of your travel is managed smoothly, allowing you to focus on your objectives.

bioaccess® Support

At bioaccess®, we're here to make your travel experience seamless and stress-free. We handle everything from when you arrive to when you depart, including domestic flights, ground transportation, meeting arrangements, and restaurant reservations. Throughout your stay, you'll have the support of a bilingual bioaccess® representative who will assist with translations and coordination to help make your visit productive, safe, and enjoyable. You can count on us to take care of you every step of the way.

Experience the difference that bioaccess®'s personalized support can make for your Latin American clinical studies. Speak with our team to learn how we can accelerate your path to regulatory approval

Site Visits

If you intend to present a slide deck during your visits to the sites or investigators, it's advisable to come prepared with an HDMI adapter and a USB drive or consider sending a copy of your presentation to our team in advance. You might also want to bring a small projector for ease of presentation. To make your site visits as productive as possible, please provide us with a list of specific areas or equipment you wish to see before arrival. This will enable us to tailor the tour of the facilities according to your needs. Additionally, if you plan to take photographs within the sites, please inform us beforehand, as some locations may have restrictions or require prior authorization for photography.

Credit Cards And Currency

Currency Exchange: In Colombia, local currency is essential for tipping and minor expenses. We advise you to exchange money at the airport.

Credit Card Acceptance: While major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Colombia, American Express may not be universally honored.

Exchange Rate: The current exchange rate is approximately 4,000 COP for 1 USD.

Keep In Mind

Electrical Considerations:

Colombia uses the same North American, two-flat-pin adapter that is used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean countries.

International Mobile Data Plan:

If you have Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile (depending on your plan), you should be covered in Colombia with free, unlimited data and texts.

Is Colombia safe to visit?

Decreasing Crime: Colombia's crime, including homicide, has dropped by over 50% since 2002, thanks to government initiatives against organized crime.

Tourism: Hosting 4 million international visitors annually, Colombia offers safe experiences with its beaches, colonial cities, and rainforests.

Economic Growth: With a robust economy, Colombia's business sector thrives as a member of the OECD and G20, ensuring business stability and security.

We are excited to welcome you to Colombia. Contact us with any additional questions.