Practical Information
Follow this link to find practical information for your trip to Colombia, including general facts about the country, climate, culture, health, emergency numbers, visas, currency, embassies and more.
You can also find specific information about Cartagena here and here. We highly recommend that you get a Yellow Fever vaccine if you plan to travel to areas below 2,300 m (7,546 ft) in elevation outside of the cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla, Cali, Medellín, Bogotá, and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia. Other vaccine recommendations can be found here. Transportation
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Taxi fares from the Cartagena airport to Bocagrande range between COP$20,000-25,000; to Centro Histórico (also known as Ciudad Amurallada)/Getsemani range between $15,000-20,000.
Although some businesses may accept US dollars, all transactions in Colombia are done in Colombian Pesos (COP). The easiest way to obtain pesos when you arrive to Cartagena is by using the ATM machines found near the airline check-in counters at the airport. You can also exchange foreign currency to pesos at the airport. Current exchange rate is US$1~COP$3,000.
There is a certified yellow taxi booth on your left just outside the main exit doors of the airport (past the National Arrivals, at the end of the terminal, look for the yellow arrows on the floor). You'll tell the person in the booth what district you are going to (e.g. Bocagrande, Centro Histórico, Getsemani) and they will give you a ticket stating your fare.
You will then be directed to the next certified yellow taxi in line. Tell the driver the name of the district and the hotel where you will be staying (having it in writing also helps).
Taxi fares between Bocagrande and the Centro Histórico/Getsemani range between $8,000-$10,000. There are white (tourism) taxis at the Intercontinental entrance, but you can also take yellow taxis in the street.
Keep in mind that taxi drivers in Colombia do not expect a tip.
Although some businesses may accept US dollars, all transactions in Colombia are done in Colombian Pesos (COP). The easiest way to obtain pesos when you arrive to Cartagena is by using the ATM machines found near the airline check-in counters at the airport. You can also exchange foreign currency to pesos at the airport. Current exchange rate is US$1~COP$3,000.
There is a certified yellow taxi booth on your left just outside the main exit doors of the airport (past the National Arrivals, at the end of the terminal, look for the yellow arrows on the floor). You'll tell the person in the booth what district you are going to (e.g. Bocagrande, Centro Histórico, Getsemani) and they will give you a ticket stating your fare.
You will then be directed to the next certified yellow taxi in line. Tell the driver the name of the district and the hotel where you will be staying (having it in writing also helps).
Taxi fares between Bocagrande and the Centro Histórico/Getsemani range between $8,000-$10,000. There are white (tourism) taxis at the Intercontinental entrance, but you can also take yellow taxis in the street.
Keep in mind that taxi drivers in Colombia do not expect a tip.
Safety
Cartagena is one of the safest cities in Colombia. You should feel confident walking in tourist areas of Bocagrande, Centro Histórico, and Getsemani. We do not recommend venturing to other city districts as there isn't much to see or do, and some of them may not be completely safe. As in any big city in the world, use common sense: avoid walking through dark empty streets; if you are returning to your hotel late at night take a taxi instead of doing long walks (especially if you are unaccompanied); keep an eye on your belongings; do not accept drinks from strangers, etc.
It is common for street vendors to try to offer you their products or services in touristic areas of the Centro Histórico and Getsemani, and the beaches of Bocagrande. If you are not interested, simply say "no gracias".
It is common for street vendors to try to offer you their products or services in touristic areas of the Centro Histórico and Getsemani, and the beaches of Bocagrande. If you are not interested, simply say "no gracias".
Venue
InterContinental Cartagena Carrera 1 No.5-01 Bocagrande Cartagena, Colombia All talk and poster presentations will take place in the Aguamarina Ballroom of the hotel. |
Cartagena is the most popular tourist destination in Colombia, a place where the magic of the old city meets modernism and where you’ll find a warm-hearted welcome from locals.
The symposium will be hosted in the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias. The hotel is located in the beachfront of Bocagrande, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city. InterContinental Cartagena is blocks from the beautiful bay of Castillogrande, 5-10 minutes from the old city and 15-20 minutes from the Rafael Núñez International Airport. |
Where to stay?
Stay at the venue hotel: InterContinental Cartagena
From TripAdvisor: The InterContinental Cartagena Hotel has 287 rooms and suites distributed in 26 modern and eclectic floors. It is part of a mixed used complex that includes the well-known shopping mall NAO+FUN, and a luxury, world-class casino. In its design, it gathers the latest in technology and high comfort with native elements that show off the best of the Caribbean’s architecture.
We have secured special nightly room rates at the InterContinental for symposium participants: $136 USD - one guest $151 USD - two guests* $181 USD - three guests* *Note: if you want to share a room, but have independent beds, please contact the hotel directly at [email protected] or [email protected] to specify this. |
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Other hotels in Bocagrande (within walking distance to the venue)
Hotels in the old city (10-15min taxi ride to/from the venue)
Hostels in the old city (10-15min taxi ride to/from the venue)
Where to eat?
Cartagena offers a huge gastronomic selection. This article provides a short overview of the options.
What to do?
There are diverse options for things to do within and nearby Cartagena. These include: tours within the city, day trips to nearby beaches, aviaries and mud volcanoes, cooking classes and coffee tastings. There are also many touristic options pre and post symposium in Cartagena and other coastal cities like Santa Marta, or common layover cities like Bogotá and Medellín. We recommend the following certified tourism operators to book your adventures (please book at least 5 days in advance to ensure that you will have an english-speaking guide):
Gema Tours
contact: Jackeline Orjuela Bermudez
e-mail: [email protected]
Cellphone: +57 316 453 0265
Click here to see examples of their offerings
Macondo DMC
contact: Claudia Rozo
e-mail: [email protected]
Cellphone: +57 350 527 9411
Click here to see examples of their offerings
Gema Tours
contact: Jackeline Orjuela Bermudez
e-mail: [email protected]
Cellphone: +57 316 453 0265
Click here to see examples of their offerings
Macondo DMC
contact: Claudia Rozo
e-mail: [email protected]
Cellphone: +57 350 527 9411
Click here to see examples of their offerings
How to get there?
By air
Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and the best way to get there is flying. It's airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Nuñez (CTG), is an international airport located inside the city's perimeter.
CTG receives local flights from Colombia's major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali), as well as direct international flights from Miami (Avianca), New York (Avianca, JetBlue), Atlanta (Delta), Fort Lauderdale (JetBlue, Spirit), Lima (LATAM), Amsterdam (KLM), and Panamá City (AirPanama, Copa Airlines, Wingo).
An alternative nearby airport is located in Barranquilla, the largest Colombian coastal city, a two-hour drive from Cartagena.
CTG receives local flights from Colombia's major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali), as well as direct international flights from Miami (Avianca), New York (Avianca, JetBlue), Atlanta (Delta), Fort Lauderdale (JetBlue, Spirit), Lima (LATAM), Amsterdam (KLM), and Panamá City (AirPanama, Copa Airlines, Wingo).
An alternative nearby airport is located in Barranquilla, the largest Colombian coastal city, a two-hour drive from Cartagena.
By sea
Cartagena is also a port city that receives cruise ships that sail in Caribbean waters. Why not take the oportunity to visit other Caribbean destinations? More Info