jb725
May 20, 11, 7:55 am
Anyone know what the entry/exit fee situation is for Bogota? US State Dept website says there is a $75 exit fee but that it can be waived for short stays. Anyone with actual experience that can chime in? Thanks.
South America - Bogota, CO Exit Visa Question?
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Herb687
May 20, 11, 2:54 pm
Based on your program/status can we assume you are flying to and from BOG on DL?
If so, DL includes all the relevant airport taxes in the fare. I've flown DL in and out of BOG quite a few times and the taxes are always included; never had to pay anything extra to depart. AA also includes airport taxes in the ticket on Colombia itineraries.
I believe that overall Colombia departure/airport taxes are split into two portions - one that is due and payable (and included in ticket if you fly AA/DL for example) and one that is waived for short stays like you mention (I think < 60 days = "short stay" for the purpose of this tax).
You will have to get an exemption (exencion) stamp on a form and in your passport to prove that the taxes were paid/waived. You do this at a separate booth run by the civil aviation authority (Aerocivil) before heading to the AA/DL ticket counter to check-in. At El Dorado, the Aerocivil counter for your tax stamp is located behind you (closer to the streetside entrance) if you are in a check-in line facing the ticket counters. It's slightly south of the middle of the ticketing lobby (the stairs leading up to the 2nd level and departure gates).
Adds time and complexity to the whole check-in process but the good news is that it's extremely unlikely you will have to pay anything more than you already have at time of ticket purchase.
If so, DL includes all the relevant airport taxes in the fare. I've flown DL in and out of BOG quite a few times and the taxes are always included; never had to pay anything extra to depart. AA also includes airport taxes in the ticket on Colombia itineraries.
I believe that overall Colombia departure/airport taxes are split into two portions - one that is due and payable (and included in ticket if you fly AA/DL for example) and one that is waived for short stays like you mention (I think < 60 days = "short stay" for the purpose of this tax).
You will have to get an exemption (exencion) stamp on a form and in your passport to prove that the taxes were paid/waived. You do this at a separate booth run by the civil aviation authority (Aerocivil) before heading to the AA/DL ticket counter to check-in. At El Dorado, the Aerocivil counter for your tax stamp is located behind you (closer to the streetside entrance) if you are in a check-in line facing the ticket counters. It's slightly south of the middle of the ticketing lobby (the stairs leading up to the 2nd level and departure gates).
Adds time and complexity to the whole check-in process but the good news is that it's extremely unlikely you will have to pay anything more than you already have at time of ticket purchase.
JohnnyColombia
May 21, 11, 3:54 pm
I can only answer this question from my own experiences having flown twice from Bogotá to Houston twice with CO
The problem is that the answer will probably be different for everyone because CO personnel at BOG are the world's second stupidest people (after LAN personnel at BOG)
The exit tax is $32 or about COP$60,000. Whether or not you have paid it already normally depends on where your journey starts.
If you start in the USA then the fee is probably NOT added to your ticket, if you are spending less than 60 days in Colombia then you are exempt from paying it, but you have to take your passport to the Exención office. Herb points out how you do this.
The fun starts though if you have a non-Colombian passport and booked your trip originating in BOG. Then the tax will normally be included in your fare, but the annoying CO girl that walks up and down the line that doesn't really understand how the system works will make you go and get an exención regardless of whether or not you should have one based on your non-Colombian passport.
If you have been in Colombia for less than 60 days then you will not only get your exención but you will get a refund in COP equivalent to $32
If you have been in Colombia for more than 60 days, or have a Colombian resident visa then you will need to have a fight with someone, either the stupid CO woman or the far nicer people that hand out exención stamps.
The CO agent that walks through the line checking will almost certainly tell you that you cannot fly unless you get the exención, she tells you this because she is stupid and doesn't know the rules or that you have already paid it in your fare.
If you go to the exención window and tell them in Spanish that the bad bad CO girl will not let you fly unless you get an exención, she will give you one out of pity and then CO will further delay you by refunding the tax that you already paid.
Sorry to sound bitter about that but I think it is ridiculous that CO personnel don't know the rules and are unwilling to check to see if you have paid the tax. Passengers shouldn't have to get DIAN to bend the rules because CO doesn't know how the system works.
The US state dept probably says $75 because there is another tax which will certainly be included in your tix
Happy flying
ETA: I have just realised the CO in your title may have meant Colombia and not Continental
The problem is that the answer will probably be different for everyone because CO personnel at BOG are the world's second stupidest people (after LAN personnel at BOG)
The exit tax is $32 or about COP$60,000. Whether or not you have paid it already normally depends on where your journey starts.
If you start in the USA then the fee is probably NOT added to your ticket, if you are spending less than 60 days in Colombia then you are exempt from paying it, but you have to take your passport to the Exención office. Herb points out how you do this.
The fun starts though if you have a non-Colombian passport and booked your trip originating in BOG. Then the tax will normally be included in your fare, but the annoying CO girl that walks up and down the line that doesn't really understand how the system works will make you go and get an exención regardless of whether or not you should have one based on your non-Colombian passport.
If you have been in Colombia for less than 60 days then you will not only get your exención but you will get a refund in COP equivalent to $32
If you have been in Colombia for more than 60 days, or have a Colombian resident visa then you will need to have a fight with someone, either the stupid CO woman or the far nicer people that hand out exención stamps.
The CO agent that walks through the line checking will almost certainly tell you that you cannot fly unless you get the exención, she tells you this because she is stupid and doesn't know the rules or that you have already paid it in your fare.
If you go to the exención window and tell them in Spanish that the bad bad CO girl will not let you fly unless you get an exención, she will give you one out of pity and then CO will further delay you by refunding the tax that you already paid.
Sorry to sound bitter about that but I think it is ridiculous that CO personnel don't know the rules and are unwilling to check to see if you have paid the tax. Passengers shouldn't have to get DIAN to bend the rules because CO doesn't know how the system works.
The US state dept probably says $75 because there is another tax which will certainly be included in your tix
Happy flying
ETA: I have just realised the CO in your title may have meant Colombia and not Continental