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General Information
Colombia Outline
Colombia is located in the northwestern region of South America. Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the North by the Atlantic Ocean, through the Caribbean Sea; to the north-west by Panama; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Colombia is the 26th largest nation in the world and the fourth-largest country in South America, with an area of 828,660 km², which represents more than twice that of France. In Latin America, it is also the country with the third highest population after Brazil and Mexico, with approximately 43,6 million people.
The Politics of Colombia takes place in the framework of a presidential representative democratic republic. The official language is Spanish, and English is the most widely understood foreign language. The main religion is Catholic; however, in the National Constitution religious freedom is established.
Despite the fact that it is not very well known as being a tourist destination, it has a lot to offer everyone. It has beautiful beaches, high mountains, historic villages, archaeological sites, vast jungles, modern cities, tropical islands, volcanoes, Amerindian cultures, and much more.
Three mountain ranges, or Cordilleras, cross the country from north to south, creating a great variety of mountain landscapes. The scarcely populated Amazon rainforests cover up a quarter of the country. There are the plains of the Caribbean coast and those of the Orinoco river shed, covering another quarter of the nation’s territory. Finally, there are the rainforests along the pacific coast which are some of most bio-diverse regions in the world. Colombia has an impressive natural richness, and is one of the countries with the most varied species of plants and animals on this planet. There is a good system of national parks, covering a total of 10% of the national territory, and conserving many different kinds of ecosystems.
Bogotá Outline
Bogotá, is a modern metropolis with nearly seven million inhabitants, covering approximately
33 000 hectares. It is located in the center of the country, 2 640 meters above mid sea level Bogotá and is the capital of Colombia.
Thanks to technical advances inherent to large cities, and substantial transformation in the past ten years, Bogotá is now a friendly, lovely city offering rich and varied cultural life. A city providing all modern life services and comfort required, while not giving up many of its colonial time uses preserved by traditional neighborhoods.
Due to the transformation and progress of the city in topics like transport, security, cultural activities social improvement, Bogotá has received a lot of international awards and has become to be the pattern for a lot of cities around the world.
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Plaza de Bolivar - Bogotá |
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Weather and local time
Bogotá D.C. is located on a mountain rimmed plateau high in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes Mountains; this situation gives it constant spring-like weather. The average temperature is 14°C, varying from 9°C to 22ºC. Dry and rainy seasons alternate along the year. June and July are usually rainy periods, however climate conditions are irregular and quite variable. We recommend to use warm clothes.
Colombia Standard Time is 5 hours behind Greenwich. Sunrise is at 6:00 and sunset is at 18:30 h.
Currency and credit cards
Colombia legal currency is the peso ($). Every foreign currency transactions shall take place in authorized money exchange houses or banks, never in the street. Besides, some hotels provide this service to their guests.
The exchange rate is approximately USD 1,00 = $2 500 pesos. Cents are not used. Coins circulating are $50, $100, $200 and $500 pesos. Bills circulating are $1 000, $2 000, $5 000, $10 000, $20 000 and $ 50 000.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Colombia. Commonly accepted credit cards in Colombia are: VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND DINERS.
Extensive automatic teller machines are available in the entire city. As in every other city, it is important to be careful while using ATMs; do not allow strangers to see or watch you entering the code numbers, do not ask or accept help from people other than entity employees, do not use damaged ATMs. Some ATMs such as Visa, Cirrus and Master Card, allow for any type of international transactions.
Only exclusive hotels accept traveler check payment. Traveler checks may not be regularly used in commercial establishments.
Airport
El Dorado International Airport is located 35 minutes approx. from the meeting hotel. National and international flight module counters are located in the first floor, and also ticket, booking, check in, immigration and customs counters. In the second floor you will find information services, flights arrival and departure monitors, waiting rooms, travel agencies, drug stores, restaurants and cafeterias, libraries and artisan shops.
In El Dorado International airport, before exiting the luggage claim room, you can find money exchange houses, and a taxi booth. At this office you can get a ticket with the total cost in pesos of your trip from the airport to your hotel. For this purpose, you have to submit your hotel address. The cost from the airport to the Dann Norte Hotel is approximately $ 30 000 pesos (about US$15). At the taxi booth you will be informed where to take the authorized taxi.
A person of ICONTEC will be waiting for you at the airport, to provide you guidance at your arrival. Dann Norte Hotel offers airport-hotel-airport transportation service, at a rate of $20 US each way.
Mobilization in the city
Orientation
Eastern hills serve as reference points for orientation purposes when moving around the city. When moving towards the hills you are going east. When you move away from the hills you go west.
Taxis
In Bogotá, taxis are yellow or white. Service costs in the city are quite inexpensive and good quality. Taxis providing hotel services are preferred, or requiring the service by phone to one of the following telephones: 2222222 - or 4111111. Taking any cab in the street is not recommendable, particularly at night.
Inside the taxi, in a place that the passenger may easily see, both the driver and the vehicle should be identified, and there should be a list indicating the respective taxi-meter fees by unit and equivalent pesos ($).
The trip to the airport, night and holiday services, and service requested by phone are charged an additional fee.
Public transport and Transmilenio
Transmilenio is the massive public bus transportation. The route map located in a visible place at each station should be consulted before using the system. Current ticket value is $1 500 pesos ($ US 0,70) .
Other modalities of urban transportation fees vary depending on quality, comfort and mobilization speed. Most recommendable are taxi services.
Cycle routes and cycleways
Sundays and holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, 121 kilometers of the main streets in Bogotá become cycleways, or lanes for bicycles, skaters or simple strollers circulation, a model program in South America. The cycleway has become the most important recreational and sports activity for Bogotá inhabitants. On Sundays and holidays over three million citizens gather in such places.
Telecommunications
All over the city you will find public phones operated with coins or prepaid card.
To make direct international calls from Colombia, dial:
00+(carrier code: 9, 5 or 7) + (country code) + (area code) + number
To make direct international calls from other countries to Bogotá, dial:
(carrier code) + (57) + (1) + number
Typical business hour
Bank attention hours are from 9:00 h to 15:00 h, however some banks offer extended hours. The last month’s day attention is until 12:00 h. Shopping malls are usually open from 10:00 h to 22:00 h from Monday to Sunday.
Electricity
In Bogotá, voltage is 110-120 Volts (60 Hertz). Electrical plugs usually have two flat blades. Some outlets may require a third (grounding) pin.
Tipping
Most restaurants add 10% or more to the total bill, but they must make it clear that they have done so, due tipping is voluntary.
Colombians do not normally tip taxi drivers, although the total may be rounded up.
Immigration and emigration
Attendants are requested to find out if they need a visa to visit our country. In case you need a letter of invitation for your visa, please let us know in advance.
Every person traveling by air shall pay outgoing tax. The approximately cost is US $ 60.
An international certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is recommended for all travelers visiting the Atlantic Coast of Colombia (Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla). If you are coming just to Bogotá this vaccination is not necessary.
Health insurance
It is recommended to bring a health insurance with you in case you need medical assistance.
Safety
Be careful with your personal belongings, specially purse, wallet and camera. For all your valuables and documents use the safety deposit box at your hotel. Do not wear flashy jewelry in the street, even if it is fake.
Carry with you any form of identification, as well as the address and phone number of your hotel. Ask the concierge or Front Desk at your hotel, to recommend you the nearby areas for walking, jogging or shopping, and those that you should avoid.
Do not go out alone at night. If you must go out alone at night it is better to take a taxi to and from your destination. We suggest to use the taxis offered by the hotel.
Also, be careful when accepting help from strangers.
Common words and phrases
To assist to you with the language, here are a few Spanish basic words that will be of great help to you:
English = Spanish
Hello = Hola
Good bye = Hasta luego
Good morning = Buenos días
Good afternoon = Buenas tardes
Good evening = Buenas noches
Thank you = Gracias
Yes = Sí
No = No
How much does it cost? = ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
what is this? = ¿Qué es esto?
Where is...? = ¿Dónde queda ...?
Additional information
For more information on Bogotá, please, consult http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co, the official web site of Bogotá.
For clarifications about any issue of the meeting you can contact Constanza Malavert, to the e-mail: tc37meeting@la.icontec.org
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Trasmilenio - Massive Transportation |
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