Colombia - Education

Education is free and compulsory for five years in Colombia. Illiteracy is declining, having dropped from an estimated 90% at the end of the 19th century to an estimated 8.2% in 2000 (males, 8.2%; females, 8.2%).

Colombian Holidays and Festivals

These are Colombia’s national holidays. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are celebrated on the nearest Monday and known as a puente (a three-day holiday weekend). On most holidays, expect processions and other events. These are times when many Colombians take a break; hotel and transportation prices increase substantially and reservations should be made.