Arrival to Colombia
We suggest you arrive on Friday, October 7. Most flights land in the evening. With a Friday arrival you will be able to settle in and enjoy the city Saturday morning.
If you are planning on arrive before October 7, please let us know by email so we can plan a night out or other.
Otherwise, try visiting the following sites to check out their rates.
When you book, please email anandavetrossen@gmail.com and provide the below info so we can arrange your airport pick-up and drop-off:
Airline
For U.S. Citizens, check out the U.S. Satate Department page that provides information on travel warning, visa information etc. See also the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and the Colombian Embassy in San Francisco. U.S. citizens may enter Colombia without a visa and stay for 90 days, renewable up to 180 days.
Hotel accommodations
Before making your reservation, please let us know so we can inform you how to register for the group rate that will give you a better price on the hotel.
Please book a room at :
SUITES 108
Telefonos (57 1) 6370319 – 6370295
Call Free from USA 18003850609Calle 108 No. 16-05
Please announce that you are part of the group attending to the wedding so you can get a special price.
Habitación para una persona $ 200.000 pesos colombianos por noche (one person Approx. $112 US)
Nuestras tarifas Incluyen:
· Desayuno Americano, = includes breakfast and :
· Llamadas locales ilimitadas a números fijos = Unlimited National Phone Calls
( You can call me at 8039923)· Servicio de camarería = Room Service· TV por cable = Cable
Things To Do
Museo del Oro: The Gold Museum displays an extraordinary selection of its pre-Hispanic goldwork collection, the biggest in the world. http://www.banrep.org/museo/eng/home.htm
Monseratte: For a panoramic view of Bogotá, take the cable car another 2,000 feet above the city. The view is breathtaking and should not be missed! www.cerromonserrate.com
Catedral de Sal: The beautiful Salt Cathedral is an underground church built in a tunnel of salt mines 200 meters within the mountainside. www.catedraldesal.gov.co
Centro Andino: For some fantastic shopping. This shopping center is surrounded by streets with more boutiques, great restaurants and bars. www.centroandino.com.co.
Museo Botero: Botero Museum showcases the work of Colombia's treasure - Fernando Botero. You can also see collections by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet, Degas and Chagall. Admission is free. www.lablaa.org/museobotero.htm
La Candelaria: This is the historic neighborhood in downtown Bogotá also known as the Old City. The architecture of the houses, churches, and buildings has Spanish and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries museums and the opera house.
Safety
As in any huge metropolis, you need to be aware of your surroundings and, of course , don't trust every person you meet on the street.By taking a few precautionary measures, you can have a fun and relaxing time. If you don't need your passport or credit cards with you, leave them in the hotel lock box. If you can, bring a friend with you when you go out exploring. If you have the option of having someone call you cab versus grabbing random cab off the street.
Orientating yourself in Bogota
Note, in general it's easy to orient oneself in Bogotá because it has a long line of tall, green hills running up the east side of the city. So, if you can see the hills, then you are looking east, and north is to your left.
Ana's house in Bogota is in the north of Bogota.
The streets are also numbered logically and sequentially, though not quite as much in a set grid as Chicago. There are 2 kinds of streets:
Calles (streets), abbreviated Cl., run East-West. All the wedding and tourist sites are on the north side of Bogotá, so low numbered Calles will be more south and high numbered Calles indicate more northern places.
Carreras (avenues), abbreviated Cra., run North-South. Carrera zero would be the hills along the east edge of Bogotá, with the numbers increasing as you go west, away from the hills. The main North-South artery for many of your needs would be Carrera séptima or 7th Avenue.
For examples:
La Candelaria, the most historical neighborhood is centered on about Calle 9, and is close to the hills.
The University of Los Andes is at the top of Calle 19, also along the edge of the hills.
Weather in Bogotá
Bogotá is located 8,800 feet above sea level in the beautiful Andes Mountains. The city receives a considerable amount of rain during the year, and due to its elevation it never sees very high temperatures. As weather patterns are constantly changing, Bogotá rain is always a possibility. Must haves for the trip: a raincoat, umbrella, light jacket or sweater for evening and sunscreen. Although it may be cloudy, you will still get sun.
Visit www.weather.com to check the temperature closer to the trip. It should range between mid to high 60's by day and low to mid 50's in the evening.
Weather Averages October: http://weather.sg.msn.com/daily_averages.aspx?&wealocations=wc%3aCOXX0004&weai=10&q=Bogotá%2c+COL&setunit=F
News
The Biggest newspaper is El Tiempo. You can also find it in english. WWW.eltiempo.com.co
National Tourism in Colombia
Colombia is a big country, bigger than France, for example. In one country you can visit 3 different mountain chains of the Andes. You can visit the super humid forests of the Pacific coast of the Chocó. Or visit the drier Caribbean coast, which at its north-eastern extreme you'll find the desert of the Guajira Peninsula, bordering Venezuela. Or you can visit the incomparable Amazon jungle at Leticia, which shares a border with both Brazil and Peru. Or the eastern plains (los llanos) of eastern Colombia. Or the coffee belt ( Eje Cafetero) in the mountains between Medellí and Cali.
We can provide personal recommendation and more information, if you request it.
You should also browse some online travel guides such as:
The Lonely Planet,
and the more detailed backpackers' travel guide, Poor but Happy.
The Department's Smart Traveler app for U.S. travelers going abroad provides easy access to the frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more that appear on the travel.state.gov site. Travelers can also set up e-tineraries to keep track of arrival and departure dates and make notes about upcoming trips. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (requires iOS 4.0 or later).
"VIVE COLOMBIA, VIAJA POR ELLA"
If you are thinking of traveling around Colombia and take a few more days out of work, Please let us know how long you are planing to stay, we can give you aditional information and remember that you can always stay at Ana's country house located at La Mesa, Cundinamarca(one hour from bogota) and drive around Colombia.
Cities to visit in Colombia:
-Cartagena
See safe driving routes at:
Arrival to Colombia
We suggest you arrive on Friday, October 7. Most flights land in the evening. With a Friday arrival you will be able to settle in and enjoy the city Saturday morning.
If you are planning on arrive before October 7, please let us know by email so we can plan a night out or other.
Rates for flights into Bogota (BOG) might be found at www.americanairlines.com.
Use the code 58H1BU to get a 5% discount on your flight.
Otherwise, try visiting the following sites to check out their rates.
When you book, please email anandavetrossen@gmail.com and provide the below info so we can arrange your airport pick-up and drop-off:
Airline (if you have a connecting flight, please provide the airline which will bring you into BOG)
Flight Number
Arrival Time
Arrival Date (we suggest October 7th)
Airline
Flight Number
Departure Time
Departure Date
For U.S. Citizens, check out the U.S. Satate Department page that provides information on travel warning, visa information etc. See also the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and the Colombian Embassy in San Francisco. U.S. citizens may enter Colombia without a visa and stay for 90 days, renewable up to 180 days.
Hotel accommodations
Before making your reservation, please let us know so we can inform you how to register for the group rate that will give you a better price on the hotel.
Please book a room at :
SUITES 108
SUITES 108
Telefonos (57 1) 6370319 – 6370295
Móvil 312 454 1794
Call Free from USA 18003850609
Call Free from USA 18003850609
Calle 108 No. 16-05
Bogotá – Colombia
www.suites108.com ( use the reservas link or the chat)
Please announce that you are part of the group attending to the wedding so you can get a special price.
Habitación para una persona $ 200.000 pesos colombianos por noche (one person Approx. $112 US)
Habitación para dos personas $ 270.000 pesos colombianos por noche (two people Aprox. $150 US)
Nuestras tarifas Incluyen:
· Desayuno Americano, = includes breakfast and :
· Acceso a internet WiFi desde la habitación = WIFI
· Recepción y Seguridad 24 Horas con sistema cerrado de televisión = Private Closed Security
· Parqueadero = Parquing
· Llamadas locales ilimitadas a números fijos = Unlimited National Phone Calls
( You can call me at 8039923)
· Llamadas locales ilimitadas a números fijos = Unlimited National Phone Calls
( You can call me at 8039923)
· Servicio de camarería = Room Service
· TV por cable = Cable
· Impuestos = taxes
· Seguro hotelero = Insurance
· Cajilla de seguridad = Safe
· Área de acondicionamiento físico = Gym
Things To Do
Museo del Oro: The Gold Museum displays an extraordinary selection of its pre-Hispanic goldwork collection, the biggest in the world. http://www.banrep.org/museo/eng/home.htm
Monseratte: For a panoramic view of Bogotá, take the cable car another 2,000 feet above the city. The view is breathtaking and should not be missed! www.cerromonserrate.com
Catedral de Sal: The beautiful Salt Cathedral is an underground church built in a tunnel of salt mines 200 meters within the mountainside. www.catedraldesal.gov.co
Centro Andino: For some fantastic shopping. This shopping center is surrounded by streets with more boutiques, great restaurants and bars. www.centroandino.com.co.
Museo Botero: Botero Museum showcases the work of Colombia's treasure - Fernando Botero. You can also see collections by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet, Degas and Chagall. Admission is free. www.lablaa.org/museobotero.htm
La Candelaria: This is the historic neighborhood in downtown Bogotá also known as the Old City. The architecture of the houses, churches, and buildings has Spanish and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries museums and the opera house.
Safety
As in any huge metropolis, you need to be aware of your surroundings and, of course , don't trust every person you meet on the street.By taking a few precautionary measures, you can have a fun and relaxing time. If you don't need your passport or credit cards with you, leave them in the hotel lock box. If you can, bring a friend with you when you go out exploring. If you have the option of having someone call you cab versus grabbing random cab off the street.
Orientating yourself in Bogota
Note, in general it's easy to orient oneself in Bogotá because it has a long line of tall, green hills running up the east side of the city. So, if you can see the hills, then you are looking east, and north is to your left.
Ana's house in Bogota is in the north of Bogota.
The streets are also numbered logically and sequentially, though not quite as much in a set grid as Chicago. There are 2 kinds of streets:
Calles (streets), abbreviated Cl., run East-West. All the wedding and tourist sites are on the north side of Bogotá, so low numbered Calles will be more south and high numbered Calles indicate more northern places.
Carreras (avenues), abbreviated Cra., run North-South. Carrera zero would be the hills along the east edge of Bogotá, with the numbers increasing as you go west, away from the hills. The main North-South artery for many of your needs would be Carrera séptima or 7th Avenue.
For examples:
La Candelaria, the most historical neighborhood is centered on about Calle 9, and is close to the hills.
The University of Los Andes is at the top of Calle 19, also along the edge of the hills.
Weather in Bogotá
Bogotá is located 8,800 feet above sea level in the beautiful Andes Mountains. The city receives a considerable amount of rain during the year, and due to its elevation it never sees very high temperatures. As weather patterns are constantly changing, Bogotá rain is always a possibility. Must haves for the trip: a raincoat, umbrella, light jacket or sweater for evening and sunscreen. Although it may be cloudy, you will still get sun.
Visit www.weather.com to check the temperature closer to the trip. It should range between mid to high 60's by day and low to mid 50's in the evening.
Weather Averages October: http://weather.sg.msn.com/daily_averages.aspx?&wealocations=wc%3aCOXX0004&weai=10&q=Bogotá%2c+COL&setunit=F
News
The Biggest newspaper is El Tiempo. You can also find it in english. WWW.eltiempo.com.co
National Tourism in Colombia
Colombia is a big country, bigger than France, for example. In one country you can visit 3 different mountain chains of the Andes. You can visit the super humid forests of the Pacific coast of the Chocó. Or visit the drier Caribbean coast, which at its north-eastern extreme you'll find the desert of the Guajira Peninsula, bordering Venezuela. Or you can visit the incomparable Amazon jungle at Leticia, which shares a border with both Brazil and Peru. Or the eastern plains (los llanos) of eastern Colombia. Or the coffee belt ( Eje Cafetero) in the mountains between Medellí and Cali.
We can provide personal recommendation and more information, if you request it.
You should also browse some online travel guides such as:
The Lonely Planet,
and the more detailed backpackers' travel guide, Poor but Happy.
The Department's Smart Traveler app for U.S. travelers going abroad provides easy access to the frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more that appear on the travel.state.gov site. Travelers can also set up e-tineraries to keep track of arrival and departure dates and make notes about upcoming trips. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (requires iOS 4.0 or later)."VIVE COLOMBIA, VIAJA POR ELLA"
If you are thinking of traveling around Colombia and take a few more days out of work, Please let us know how long you are planing to stay, we can give you aditional information and remember that you can always stay at Ana's country house located at La Mesa, Cundinamarca(one hour from bogota) and drive around Colombia.
Cities to visit in Colombia:
-Cartagena
-Santa Marta
-Medellin
-Amazonas
-San Andres
See safe driving routes at:
SANTA MARTA
