Brimming with the sound of music and bright with color and tradition, Cartagena de Indias is a city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Since its foundation in 1533 by Spanish explorer Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena became one of the most important ports on the Caribbean Sea. The city’s iconic walls, beautifully conserved despite the passage of time, were built to prevent attacks by pirates, who preyed on the gold and treasure that flowed out of the Spanish dominions.

Cartagena’s colonial walled city, the most extensive fortifications in South America, including the port, fortresses and monuments were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. A system of zones divides the city into three neighborhoods: San Sebastian and Santa Catalina with the cathedral and many palaces where the wealthy lived and the main government buildings functioned; San Diego or Santo Toribio, where merchants and the middle class lived; and Getsemani, the suburban popular quarters.

Population

The metropolitan area has a population of 1,240,000, and the city itself approximately 875,000 (2005 census). It is the fifth largest urban area in Colombia.

Meeting Venue

The meeting will take place at
Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias (CCCI)
Getsemaní Carrera 8 Cartagena de Indias Fax: + (57) (5) 6600920 / + (57) (5) 6642754
http://www.corpocentros.com
Delegates who wish to contact the Convention Center (mailing, catering) can send a request to:
Mrs. Luz Stella Tovar
E-mail: luz.tovar@cccartagena.com

Business Hours

Banks: Generally, banks are open from 08.00 to 11.30 and from 14.00 to 16.00 (Monday to Thursday). Banks’ opening hours are usually extended until 16.30 on Fridays.
Shops: Shops are usually open from Mondays to Saturdays between 09.00 and 21.00. 

Currency and Credit Cards

The Colombian Peso (COP$) is the currency of Colombia. The COP is available in banknotes, which bear the value of 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000; and coins which bear the value of 50, 100, 200, 500. As of September, 2011 the exchange rate for the Colombian Peso is $1903 COP = $1 US Dollar and $2573 COP = €1 Euro. Please check before leaving your country since the current exchange rate may vary regularly.

Facilities for currency exchange will be available at the Convention Centre. Participants are strongly warned not to exchange money on the street with informal dealers. Due to internal regulations, hotels are not allowed to exchange money.

Major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express,) are accepted at hotels, major restaurants and most shops in Cartagena. 

Electricity

Voltage in Colombia is 110-120 volts and frequency 60 Hz. The image below shows a Colombian power outlet (not to scale). N.B.: Participants are advised to bring their own adaptors should they wish to connect their laptops at the meeting venue and/or the hotels. 

Language

The official language of Colombia is Spanish; however English is spoken in hotels and main touristic places.

Mobile Network

Colombia uses the international GSM (Global System for Mobile Telephony) standard. Foreign visitors can use mobile phones outside the national network under the international “roaming” system. The international dialing code for Colombia is +57. To place a call, dial as follows: International calls: Dial 00 + (9)  + country code + area code + number National calls: Dial 00 + (9) + city code + number The city code for Cartagena is 5.

Temperature

Cartagena has a tropical climate and tends to be hot and windy. The average annual temperature of 28°C changes very little, but in April temperatures range from a minimum of 25°C to a maximum of 32°C. Humidity: 90%

Time

Colombia is 5 hours behind GMT/UTC and does not observe daylight saving time (no time change).

Tipping

Tipping is a common practice in Cartagena.  In restaurants the tip is usually included in the bill. If not, a 5-10% tip is customary in restaurants.