2. Info Colombia, Agenda ING

T O TA L A R E A
799.389 mi2
LAND
440.831 mi2
MARITIME
358.558 mi2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Colombia is considered a diverse country given its culture, geography, and rich history making it a unique and
genuine travel destination. Traveling there can be an experience like straight out of a novel where you will be
captivated and dazzled by the contrast of its colonial architecture and modern cities, the richness of its native
communities, the incredible natural biodiversity, the traditional fairs and festivals that display the traditions and not
to mention the exquisite and peculiar cuisine from its different regions. If you are looking to fall in love with a
country where every day is a magical experience.
Colombia has a privileged geographical position in the northwestern corner of South America, bordered by the
Caribbean Sea on the north side and the Pacific Ocean on the west side. Colombia has a wide range of climates and
topography making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It shares its borders with Panama,
Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. It also shares its maritime borders with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras,
Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti. The territory is divided into a flat region to the east and the Andes
Mountains to the west, with three ramifications. Its incomparable beauty is a tribute to its many rivers, snowy peaks,
and desert surfaces.
WEATHER
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
Colombia is considered a country with a tropical climate 365 days a
year without seasons, only experiencing dry and rainy seasons
throughout different regions. Differences in altitude between cities
may also cause for climates to change dramatically across the
different regions. The country’s coastal areas are not affected by
the hurricane season due to their privileged geographical location.
AMAZON
BOGOTA
PACIFIC
SANTA
MARTA
CARTAGENA
DE INDIAS
MEDELLIN
77 °F
57 °F
82-95 °F
82 °F
82 °F
75 °F
BARRANQUILLA
BOYACA
SAN ANDRES,
PROVIDENCIA AND
SANTA CATALINA
CALI
HUILA
SANTANDER
META
82 °F
57 °F
82 °F
73 °F
75°F
75 °F
75 °F
COFFEE
CULTURAL
LANDSCAPE
64-72 °F
SOCIAL INDICATORS
NATIONAL
MONUMENTS
INTANGIBLE
CULTURAL
HERITAGE
CULTURAL
HERITAGE OF
HUMANITY
POPULATION
1.092 throughout
the national territory
9
8
48.2 million
people
(2015-DANE)
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
Spanish
CURRENCY
INTERNATIONAL
CALLING CODE
Colombian Peso
(COP)
+57
ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH
Colombia has 32 departments and six major regions (Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Orinoco, Amazon, and Insular). Colombia has many
development centers and nine metropolitanareas, each with a population of over 500,000 people: Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla,
Cartagena de Indias, Cucuta, Bucaramanga, Ibague, and the Coffee Cultural Landscape (Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia).
HOTEL INFRAESTRUCTURE
There are wide options to choose from when it comes to hotel infrastructure. There, you will be able to find from large, luxurious hotel
accommodations, exquisite boutique hotel with the charm of the 16th century to modern or even typical haciendas amid extensive
coffee plantations, including tourist lodges located in nature reserves or close to the ocean that will fit any taste or budget. In addition,
a wide range of convention centers, exhibition centers, and meeting rooms are available with cutting edge technology and top of the
line logistics to ensure a successful corporate or private event.
TIME
ZONE
Time difference to
-5 HOURS
across its territory throughout
the year (UTC -5).
GREENWICH
MERIDIAN
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
COUNTRY
TIME
DIFFERENCE
Argentina/
Brazil - 3
+2 hours
Japan +9
+14 hours
England 0
+5 hours
COUNTRY
Canada - 6
Russia + 3
United States/
New York - 4
TIME
DIFFERENCE
-1 hour
+8 hours
+1 hour
COUNTRY
TIME
DIFFERENCE
Mexico
-1 hour
Peru -5
Spain +2
China (Beijing)
0
+7 hours
+13 hours
GOVERNMENT
Colombia is a Social State of Law organized as a unitary constitutional republic with a political
centralization and administrative decentralization. Public power is divided into three branches: legislative,
executive, and judicial where various supervisory bodies govern such as the Attorney General’s Office,
the Comptroller’s Office and the Citizen’s Oversight Organizations. Since August 2010, Juan Manuel
Santos Calderon serves as President of the Republic of Colombia.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
110 volts AC at 60 Hz (110V AC, 60 Hz). The typical American
electrical sockets are available that have a two-flat pin input.
VISAS AND PERMITS
Entering and remaining in Colombia is allowed for tourism purposes for up to 90 days from the date of entry. Countries that do not
require a visa to enter Colombia are: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba (Netherlands), Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan,
Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire (Netherlands), Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Canada, Czech
Republic, Chile, Cyprus, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao (Netherlands) Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United Arab
Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Estonia, Fiji, Filipinas, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Granada, Greece,
Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Marshall Islands, Salomon Islands, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,
Japan, Kazakhstan, Letonia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburgo, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand,
Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Dominican Republic, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Santa Lucia, The Vatican, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, Saba (Netherlands), Singapore, Sint Eustatius (Netherlands), Sint Maarten (Netherlands), South Africa,
Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay y Venezuela.
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
MEDELLIN
P O P U L AT I O N :
2.464.322
AV E R A G E
T E M P E R AT U R E :
24 ºC
-
75 ºF
Proclaimed in 2013 as the world’s most innovative city, it is the venue of the main financial and industrial
centers in the country and where textiles, apparel, telecommunications and the automotive industry are
notorious. It is known as the "City of The Everlasting Spring" Because of its year-round privileged weather.
Recognized internationally for its development, transformation, and modernity structure.
W H AT T O D O
The Flower Fair is held every year in August when regional tradition is echoed with rides, parades, and exhibitions.
The Antioquia Museum, with more than 100 artistic creations of Fernando Botero.
Witnessing the sign of progress, social transformation, development, and innovation,
the city has established itself as a modern capital.
Handicrafts with 80 different varieties of flowers and flower-decorated wooden chairs
carried on the back of the local farmers.
Visit its modern and spacious malls where you can get the best selection of the Colombian textile and fashion industry at
affordable prices. Visitors can select from the following shopping malls: La Strada, Los Molinos, Mayorca, Oviedo, San Diego,
Unicentro, and Villanueva.
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
CHOCO
P O P U L AT I O N :
500.093
AV E R A G E
T E M P E R AT U R E :
28 ºC
-
82 ºF
Choco department is the only place of Colombia which is bathed by two oceans, Pacific and Caribbean.
There are abundant rivers and three National Parks: Utria, Los Katíos and Tatama. Founded in 1947,
Choco is known for its beaches most of dark sand and the whale watching experience between July and
October. This department of tropical rainforest is one of the wettest places in the world. The weather
conditions in Choco changes suddenly and the temperature varies between 27 degress celsius and 22
celsius. The humidity is around 76 percent with chance of rain.
W H AT T O D O
The Choco rainforest is found at the Pacific Oceanfront. Its basins at the San Juan and Atrato
rivers are on the list of those with the highest biodiversity in the world with 131,000 acres of
reserve forest and nearly 400 bird species.
Every year in this place, between July and November, you can admire beautiful humpback
whales and sea turtles return to breed in Colombian waters from the migratory route of the South Pole.
The Choco region can provide one of the most unforgettable and adventurous experiences,
where visitors can choose to surf in a sea that clashes against the tropical jungle and spot
humpback whales who come to the peaceful Colombian Pacific between July and November
of each year to give birth to their calves. You can also enjoy adventure and trek through the
tropical jungle in order to spot the world’s most poisonous frogs.
Utria Natural Park: a cove where the humpback whales come to give birth and
where you can see for yourself the first flaps of the young calf.
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
PREPARE
TO
DISCOVER
COLOMBIA
PA C K A L L Y O U N E E D T O E N J O Y T H E W H A L E WAT C H I N G
EXPERIENCE THAT COLOMBIA HAS TO OFFER.
Our recomendations for Medellin and Choco:
SUNBLOCK AND
SUN GLASSES
WARM WEATHER OUTFIT
COMFORTABLE SHOES
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
INSECT REPELLENT
BAHIA SOLANO
MEDELLIN
ANTIOQUIA
CHOCO
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 5
Flight to Colombia - Medellin
Flight
Transfer to the hotel
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Transfer from Airport to
El Almejal Hotel
Free day
This ecolodge is located in one of the most beautiful beaches in Bahia
Solano called El Almejal. It has been awarded with the "Responsible
Tourism Award" granted by the national government.
*The acomodation will be in rooms with two beds.
1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Almejal
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Walk around the forest
and beach of the Almejal
private reserve.
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner in El Almejal
8:00 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Talk about whales with an
expert in this area with
more than 25 years of
experience.
Almejal Hotel
El Almejal
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 6
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast at the hotel
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Walk to the boat and
whale watch
Utria National Park is known to be one of the best places in the pacific coast for whalewatching. Every year
hundreds of humpback whales arrive to the pacific coast to give birth to their calfs. They prefer colombian
coasts because of the water temperature, similar to the temperature of the mother´s womb.
10:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Perfect moment to walk around the beaches, enjoy the temperature of the water and snorkel at the sunk
boat, an artificial reef where many species find refuge.
Hike arround the
mangrove and beaches.
Free time.
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Boat to Cocalito beach
In this place enjoy the experience of Snorkeling.
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Pic Nic in Cocalito Beach
Typical meal prepared with all the traditional flavors of this
region.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.
Back to El Almejal and rest
Snorkeling in Cocalito
Beach
9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Turtle watching and
conservation
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner in El Almejal
After dinner we will walk to Caguama conservation center for an explanation of their work for the of
conservation and preservation of the sea turtle. After this we will walk through "Playa Larga" looking for
nesting turtles. If we are lucky we will have the chance to see real turtle nests and help pick up the eggs to later
put them in a fenced place to keep them away from predators and other hazards where are protected until the
birth date.
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7
6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Turtles release
This activity will be near El Almejal ecolodge and the idea is to release the turtles to contribute with the conservation
of this species.
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast in El Almejal
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Walk around Natural
Reserve Lodge
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch in El Almejal
2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Walk to the port and tour
by Tundó river
Travel through the Tundó River a well preserved jungle river with many species on it shores.
5:30 p.m. - 6:20 p.m
Back to El Almejal and rest
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner in El Almejal
This walk is to know more about the forest in this place, an undiscovered
destination. A local expert will be with the group.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
11:46 a.m. - 12:53 p.m.
Fligth to Medellin
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m
Transfer to the hotel
& Check in
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Transfer to Botanical
Garden - In situ Restaurant
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Transfer to Memory
House Museum.
This appealing modern facility, with it’s pedestrian walkways, exhibits, cultural and academic program, and
specialized research and documentation, helps the visitor to understand the nature of Colombian conflict and
understand how Medellin was able to overcome this particular past. The construction is part of the Bicentennial
Square. http://www.museocasadelamemoria.org/
Lunch at In Situ restaurant.
Transfer to te hotel
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Transfer to Comuna 13
and graffitour plus
scalators
Comuna 13 used to be one of the most dangerous places in Colombia, but in 2002 the renovation of this area started
with a huge social impact that involves the community. In fact, in 2012 Medellín won the award as the most innovative
city in the world, according with to the Wall Street Journal and Citibank.
11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Transfer to the Palomas
de la paz Square
In addition to Berrio Square and Plaza Botero, the San Antonio Square is another public space exhibiting sculptures
by Master Sculptor Fernando Botero. Masculine Torso, Sleeping Venus, and Bird are three such works that can be
admired here. Also found here is Master Artist Ronny Vayda’s “Gate to San Antonio” sculpture, which standing on the
Square’s north-east corner serves as an introduction to one of Medellin’s best known meeting places.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Transfer to Botero´s
Square
The cultural and artistic legacy donated by antioquian artist Fernando Botero can be seen by all visitors to
Medellin. The Parque de las Esculturas, or Botero Plaza, as it is also known, is located in one of the most
characteristic and traditional areas of the city and sits next to the Berrio Park, the Antioquia Museum, the Palace of
Culture, and the Nutibara Hotel.
L ib ertad
y O rd e n
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lunch in La Hacienda
restaurant
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Transfer to Urbania Cafe
An exquisite place to taste the colombian coffee and discover the flavor of the most soft coffee in the world.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Walk around Parque Lleras Two important places to know more about Medellín and discover the modern city.
and Via Provenza
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Transfer to the Hotel
8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Transfer to Osea
10:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Transfer to the Hotel
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10
International Flight
L ib ertad
y O rd e n