General Information

AIRPORT AND TRANSPORTATION

Rafael Núñez International Airport receives international flights from Panama City (Aero Republica, COPA and Aires[2]), Lima (LAN Peru), Fort Lauderdale (Spirit Airlines), Caracas (Aerorepública) and Miami (Avianca) and domestic non-stop flights from Medellín, Cali, San Andrés and Bogotá. Cartagena is 1000 km north of Bogotá (about an hour by air), or a 2.5 hour flight from Miami and five to five and a half hours from New York City. 

Most international flights arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, where it is necessary to take a connecting flight.

Address of the Rafael Núñez International Airport: Calle 71 N° 3-89, Barrio Crespo, Phone: + 57 (5) 666-6610.

Taxis:

• Centro Taxis S.A., Phone: + 57) (5) 674-2400
• Cooprotax, Tel: + 57 (5) 651-1111
• Estación de taxis Aeropuerto de Crespo, Phone: + 57 (5) 666-4206
• Radio Taxis Cartagena RTC, Phone: + 57 (5) 677-0100
• Rapitaxi ejecutivo, Phone: + 57 (5) 664-4444

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CLIMATE

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CURRENCY, EXCHANGE & CREDIT CARDS

The official currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso. Cents are not used. The coins are found in : $20, $50, $100, $200 and $500. The bills are: $1.000, $2.000, $5.000, $10.000, $20.000 and $50.000.

Currency exchange

The exchange of foreign currency should be made exclusively in hotels, banks and bureaux de change, never on the street. The exchange rate fluctuates from day to day and has the U.S. dollar as the official reference rate, which is also the currency most used in the market. Payment is made on the basis of the official daily rate, after discounting commissions and services, which vary between 2 and 3%.

Cash points

The capital cities of the country have an extensive network of cash points. The majority are in service 24 hours and provide the option of the English language. The transactions generally permitted are: credit/debit balance, withdrawals, transfers and cash advances. Avoid giving the card to strangers or revealing your personal PIN code. Cash points are strategically located, particularly on thoroughfares and in shopping malls. Some, such as Cirrus, Visa and Master Card, permit international debit and credit transactions.

Debit cards

The larger stores and shops, supermarkets, and higher-class hotels and restaurants accept such cards.

Credit cards

The majority of hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments accept international credit cards. The most frequent are Visa and Master Card. Only some places accept American Express and Diners Club.

Traveler’s checks

Before acquiring them in the country of origin, it is advisable to check on the existence of representations or branches in Colombia. The traveler’s checks most used are those of American Express and Citicorp. In the more exclusive hotels you can make payments with them but they are not commonly used in commercial establishments.

Currency Converter:   

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CUISINE

Cartagena features a rich fusion cuisine, combining ingredients from its African, Spanish and Indigenous roots as well as the food brought by Arabic and Spanish immigrants. Its local cuisine is mainly composed by seafood dishes, like fish and shellfish and accompanied with coconut rice, fried plantain and salad.

Typical dishes also include the so-called "sancocho" made of fish or meats with large pieces of plantain, potato, yucca and other vegetables. You can also find the traditional “arepa de huevo” (egg filled arepa) or a “carimañolas” best described as a Yuca Fiter with meat inside.

Cartagena also boasts a wide range of exotic fruits including sweet coconut, mango, pineapple, papaya, guava among others which are sold by the palenqueras, the iconic fruit vendors that walk around the streets or beaches carrying a bowl of fruits so artistically in their heads.

The city has numerous good restaurants inside and outside the walled city. Arabic, Cuban, Italian and traditional Colombian restaurants can be found in the modern and historic areas representing the diversity and the flavors brought about by immigrants and inhabitants of the city.

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ELECTRICITY

Colombia voltage is 110-120 volts, 60 Hz. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 220-240 volts, 50 cycles per second.

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LANGUAGE

Spanish and English are spoken in Cartagena.

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MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

There are three companies that provide mobile telecommunications:

• Movistar (www.movistar.com)
• Comcel (www.comcel.com.co) 
• Tigo (www.tigo.com.co)

How to call from a cell phone (valid for the three cell phone operators)

• From one cell phone to another: ten digits of the cell phone number.
• From a cell phone to a fixed line: 03 + city code + local number.
• From a fixed line to a cell phone: 03 + 10 digits of the cell phone number.
• From a cell phone to a landline abroad: an International Direct Dialing Prefix (005 or 007 or 009) + country code + city code + local number.
• From a fixed line abroad to a cell phone: International Direct Dialing Prefix + 57 + the 10 digits of the cell phone number.

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REGISTRATION FEES

Registration and attendance at the meeting is free. You are required to pay for your accommodations and meals. Coffee breaks are provided during the meeting.

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SHOPPING

Come to Cartagena, but don't leave with just a memory or a mental image. Come explore the city and find the most beautiful and elaborate handicrafts in the Caribbean: souvenirs fashioned in the region's tradition and made to bring back memories of the trip to Cartagena. One such place full of gift items and souvenirs is the famous Bóvedas, an area with 47 arches and 23 valuts, where history and commerce come together. Antique stores inside the walled city have unique items that tell secrets of Cartagena's past as well as its everyday life. While walking the bugainvillea-lined streets, visitors can shop for Colombian emeralds of the highest purity or visit shops owned and operated by famous Colombian fashion designers. Mandatory outer wear for men would be a guayabera shirt, and women should go around in a cool and comfortable tropical dress. Cartagena's modern side has world-class shopping centers, stores and movie theaters showing the latest 3D flicks. The Caribe Plaza shopping center is one of the best, and it is the place to be for trendy natives looking for entertainment and shopping.

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