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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 12:49 PM
I'm taking my first trip to Colombia, but I'm not sure how long I want to stay or where I want to go from there.
For you guys that have been, have you been asked 100% of the time to show proof of a return flight when you arrived in Colombia? I'm landing in Bogota.
I bought a one way ticket, and I'm wondering if I can buy a ticket out of Colombia while at the airport if I'm asked to show proof of my exit.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 12:54 PM
I dont remb being ask for it. Id say no, but im not 100% sure...
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 01:47 PM
A return ticket is one of these laws that are NEVER enforced for US, Canadian and EU citizens.
Colombia is more worried about you exploiting local poor women as drug mules or human trafficking than worried when you are leaving. If you overstay your 90 days you pay a hefty fine, and are asked to leave for 48hrs.
I've traveled to Colombia dozens of times with no return ticket as a US citizen. If asked, say you will buy it in the near future. I doubt you will be asked unless you are a citizen of Venezuela, Cuba or Middle East.
Mixx
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 01:58 PM
Thanks a lot for the responses guys! Man I can't wait to get there... :-)
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 02:58 PM
I was never asked for a return ticket entering Colombia, BUT I was asked for a return ticket before being allowed to board in the US.
I was fucking shocked, but they told me point blank that there was no way to get on the plane without a return ticket, and I honestly had no idea when I'd be coming back. I just bought a refundable ticket right there so they'd let me on the plane and then refunded it when I got to Colombia.
This was on Spirit Air.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 05:19 PM
TBone - whats the dealio - where are you going first ? Make sure you let us know the current status on COL.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-28-2011, 05:50 PM
I will be there next year - never been before.
If you there for 6weeks, surely you could fit in MED & Cali. I'm sure you will have a better grasp after your time in Bucuramanga.
Suerte Amigo !
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-29-2011, 07:06 PM
Spirit Air ALWAYS makes me show a return ticket.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 01:21 PM
Yeah, ditto. Spirit Air wouldn't let me check in at FLL without showing a return ticket. I told them I was taking a bus to Venezuela but they didn't care so I had to buy a return ticket, then I got it refunded once I complained. Be sure to just buy a refundable Spirit return ticket or better yet just print a fake confirmation using Expedia. There's a website somewhere that explains how to do this.
I was never asked by Colombia immigration so I think it's just a thing Spirit does to cover their ass because they are financially liable if the passenger is returned from Colombia to the US.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 02:53 PM
On my last trip to Colombia I only had a one way ticket. I didn't get asked for a return ticket. This was with spirit airlines out of NYC.
I later found out that a return ticket was required when boarding the plane in the U.S. I guess it depends on the crew working that day.... some crews might be stricter than others, so you could be by without having one, and worst case you buy one on the spot like one of the guys mentioned.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 02:53 PM
On my last trip to Colombia I only had a one way ticket. I didn't get asked for a return ticket.
I later found out that a return ticket was required when boarding the plane in the U.S. I guess it depends on the crew working that day.... some crews might be stricter than others, so you could be by without having one, and worst case you buy one on the spot like one of the guys mentioned.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 03:31 PM
I wonder what the stats are for the amount of people who get returned to the USA from Colombia. I would be shocked if it were higher than 0.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 03:40 PM
Which airline did you buy your refundable ticket through? Spirit website says they have non refundable tickets only.
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Colombia - Do I need to show a return ticket?
06-30-2011, 03:59 PM
Just to make it clear, the ticket they require is the "return/onward ticket".
It doesn't have to be the return ticket, and it doesn't have to be an airplane ticket. It just should be out of Colombia, and your documents should be ready for this travel (i.e. if you're holding a ticket from Colombia to Brazil, and you're US citizen, you need to have Brazil visa). Technically you can have a bus ticket, but it needs to be something you can present.
